Shower mat for using resonant acoustic and/or resonant acousto-EM energy to augment bone growth

ABSTRACT

The present invention makes use of resonant acoustic and/or resonant acousto-EM energy applied to a biological structure to augment bone growth of a bone structure within the biological structure. The resonant acoustic and/or resonant acousto-EM energy which targets the bone structure is applied by a shower mat.

The present application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No.11/584,224, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,497,119, which was filed on Oct. 19,2006; that application is hereby incorporated by reference. U.S.application Ser. No. 11/584,224 is a divisional of U.S. application Ser.No. 09/786,794, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,165,451, hereby incorporated byreference, which entered the U.S. national phase on Mar. 8, 2001, fromPCT/US99/20776. The International Application, PCT/US99/20776 filed onSep. 10, 1999, had an international priority date of Sep. 11, 1998.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to detection of inorganic and biologicstructures and/or disruption and/or augmentation of functions ofstructures using acoustic, resonant acoustic, and/or resonant acousto-EMenergy and/or electromagnetic properties and/or fields.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The resonant acoustic frequency of a system is the natural freeoscillation frequency of the system. A resonant acoustic system can beexcited by a weak mechanical or acoustic driving force in a narrow bandof frequencies, close or equal to the resonant frequency therebyinducing acoustic resonance in a targeted structure.

Acoustic resonance has been used to determine various properties ofsolid materials. For instance, Migliori et al in U.S. Pat. Nos.4,976,148 and 5,062,296 and 5,355,731 disclose a method forcharacterizing a unique resonant frequency spectroscopic signature forobjects derived from ultrasonic excitation of objects, the use ofresonant ultrasound spectroscopy for grading production quantities ofspherical objects such as roller balls for bearings, and the use ofresonant ultrasound spectroscopy with a rectangular parallelpiped sampleof a high dissipation material to enable low amplitude resonance to bedetected for use in calculating the elastic constants of the highdissipation sample. However, the Migliori patents are directed to solidmaterials and not to selectively targeting organic or biologic materialespecially when liquid systems are involved.

In addition to interacting with inanimate structures, acoustic energyalso interacts with living, biologic organisms and structures. Acousticenergy has been used extensively in medicine and biology for imagingstructures, by directing an acoustic wave at a biologic structure andanalyzing the reflection pattern of the acoustic wave. Also, acousticenergy has been used in physical therapy medicine for delivering heat totargeted areas of injury or pain. However, all of the above applicationsdepend on using acoustic energy that is non-selective for the specifictargeted biologic structure, and as such, may affect more than just thetargeted structure.

Vago, R E., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,048,520 and 5,178,134 discloses ultrasonictreatment of animals for topical hygiene and antiviral effects. Thefrequencies disclosed are in the range of 15 kilohertz to 500 kilohertz.They also report that non-enveloped viruses were refractive to theinactivating effects of the ultrasound. The mechanism cited for theirantimicrobial effects is “cavitation” on the skin surface only, and theyspecifically avoid the use of resonant frequencies in their apparatus.

Moasser, M., U.S. Pat. No. 4,646,725 discloses the use of an adaptor fordiagnostic ultrasound machines for treatment of skin and mucous membranelesions caused by infectious agents including herpes virus. The methodof treatment was 2.0 to 3.0 minutes at a power output of 1.5 watts persquare centimeter, with no specific frequencies being cited. The use ofacoustic resonance is not discussed or contemplated.

Johnston, R G., U.S. Pat. No. 5,426,977 discloses ultrasonic measurementof the acoustic resonances in eggs to provide a technique forestablishing the presence of Salmonella bacteria. Johnson characterizesthe eggs and determines the difference between the egg with and withoutSalmonella bacteria. As such, this method does not detect the actualmicro-organism, but instead characterizes the vibrational modes of aneggshell, which are modified by the physical presence of a bacteria.

The prior art has failed to suggest a satisfactory method or system foraffecting functions of a biologic structure without also affectingnear-by tissue. Furthermore, the prior art does not provide for a methodthat allows precise detection of biologic or inorganic structures usingacoustic resonance to produce a signature with high signal to noiseratio, while producing little effect in nearby structures. Stillfurther, use of non-resonant acoustic energy in the prior art affectstargeted and non-targeted structures equally.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

For purposes of this invention, the terms and expressions below,appearing in the specification and claims, are intended to have thefollowing meanings:

“Acoustic energy” as used herein is defined as energy that is producedwhen a physical structure vibrates and the vibrational energy of motionmay be transferred to the surrounding medium which includes air, liquid,or solid.

“Detect” as used herein is defined as determining the presence orabsence of a structure, and if present identifying the structure.

“Electromagnetic (EM) properties and/or fields” as used herein includesdirect and alternating currents, electric and magnetic fields,electromagnetic radiation, and fields which include but are not limitedto waves, current, flux, resistance, potential, radiation or anyphysical phenomena including those obtainable or derivable from theMaxwell equations, incorporated by reference herein.

“Electromagnetic (EM) energy pattern” as used herein represents theelectromagnetic energy produced by a structure as acoustic energyinteracts with the structure and is manifested as electromagneticproperties and/or fields.

“Biologic structure” as used herein, and used interchangeably withorganic, includes anything from the smallest organic or biochemical ionor molecule, to cells, organs, and entire organisms.

“Disruption” as used herein refers to deleterious effects on astructure.

“Acoustic signature” as used herein means a unique acoustic pattern thatis produced by the structure when in acoustic resonance that may takethe form of amplitude of signal.

“Resonant acoustic frequency” as used herein includes frequencies nearor at the natural resonant frequency of the structure including harmonicand subharmonic frequencies of the natural resonant frequency to induceacoustic resonance therein.

“Acousto-EM signature” as used herein is defined as an EM energy patternof an object in acoustic resonance and/or an EM energy equivalent infrequency to the resonant acoustic frequency.

“Acousto-EM spectroscopy” as used herein is defined as detecting aunique EM signature for a structure that is in acoustic resonance, ordetecting a unique acoustic signature from a structure that is inresonance due to the introduction of electromagnetic energy, both ofwhich can be used to detect and/or identify the structure in resonance.

“Living transducer” as used herein is defined as a biologic structure,such as a piezoelectric or semiconductor that converts electromagneticenergy or fields into mechanical energy and/or mechanical energy intoelectromagnetic energy or fields.

“Cavitation” as described herein is defined as the formation ofvapor-filled cavities in liquids, e.g., bubble formation in water whenbrought to a boil.

“Mechanical” as described herein include mechanisms such as compressionand rarefaction which are thought to take place in theintensity/duration threshold region between the thermal and cavitationregions.

“Non-resonant electromagnetic signature” as used herein is defined as anEM energy pattern produced by an object stimulated by a non-resonantacoustic field.

“Resonant acousto-EM energy” as described herein means electromagneticproperties and/or fields that induce acoustic resonance in a structure.

The present invention addresses the shortcomings of the prior art byinducing acoustic resonance in a targeted structure with selectfrequencies that affect the specific targeted structure but havevirtually no effect on nearby, non-resonating structures. Furthermore,acoustic energy power intensities can be reduced by introducing a sourceof electromagnetic (EM) energy that augments, or replaces, the acousticenergy thereby reducing the destructive nature of high power acousticenergy. The interaction between EM energy and acoustic resonance allowsfor precise detection of a structure in acoustic resonance by producinga signature with high signal to noise ratio, while producing littleeffect in other structures.

The present invention provides methods to selectively detect, identifyand/or affect an inorganic or biologic structure by using resonantacoustic and/or acousto-EM energy which can transfer useful energy totargeted structures while leaving nearby structures, which are not inresonance, virtually unchanged.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a methodof identifying or detecting an inorganic or biologic structure using itsresonant acoustic and/or acousto-EM signature and/or EM energy patterns.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for usingresonant acoustic and/or acousto-EM signatures and/or energy patterns toaugment and/or disrupt the growth and/or function of biologicstructures.

It is another object of the invention to provide a method fordetermining resonant frequencies of a biologic structure.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a method using resonantacoustic and/or resonant acousto-EM energies to detect the presence ofand/or identify biologic structures.

In accordance with the aforesaid objects the present invention providesfor the detection of inorganic or biologic structures and/or disruptionand/or augmentation of growth and/or functions of said structures usingresonant acoustic and/or resonant acousto-EM signatures and/or EM energypatterns.

Applying principles of acoustic resonance, the resonant acousticfrequency of a biologic system is the natural free oscillation frequencyof the system, and thus a system can be excited by a weak mechanical oracoustic driving force in a narrow band of frequencies. Also, dependingon the size, shape, and composition of the biologic structure, there canbe more than one naturally occurring resonant acoustic frequency, aswell as numerous subharmonic and superharmonic resonant acousticfrequencies.

When a structure, including both inorganic and biologic structures, goesinto acoustic resonance, energy builds up in it rapidly. The energy iseither kept in the system or released to the surrounding environment.Energy kept in the structure can enhance the structure's functions orcause disruption of the structure. The energy in a resonant system iseither intrinsically dissipated as electromagnetic energy and/or istransmitted as acoustic energy to the nearby medium. The intrinsicallydissipated energy is of particular interest, because it is dissipatedthrough molecular and atomic vibrations, producing EM energy patterns.This EM energy is referred to as acousto-EM energy because it isproduced when a structure is excited by acoustic energy and someacoustic energy interacts with the structure and is converted intoelectromagnetic energy thereby being intrinsically dissipated. Theproperties, fields and/or frequencies of EM energy produced depend onthe unique molecular and atomic components of the structure in question.Moreover, the induction of acoustic resonance in a structure leads tothe production of a unique acousto-EM signature for that structure,which can be used to detect and/or identify the structure as disclosedin the present invention. Conversely, if a structure is targeted with anapplied EM energy equivalent to its acousto-EM signature, the energydissipation pathway is reversed, and a state of acoustic resonance canbe induced. Reversing the energy dissipation pathway with an appliedacousto-EM signature can be used to produce the same augmentation,detection, and disruption effects that the original resonant acousticenergy field produces. An applied resonant acousto-EM signature can beused either by itself, or in combination with resonant acoustic energy.Using the applied resonant acousto-EM signature and resonant acousticenergy together, allows for the use of lower power levels of both typesof energy, lessening the potential adverse affects of electromagneticenergy and/or acoustic energy on nearby or adjacent nontargetedstructures.

Electromagnetic energy may also interact with and complement an acousticenergy wave in a system in at least four ways: via the piezoelectriceffect, intrinsic dissipation of electromagnetic energy and via theacoustoelectric or magnetoacoustic effect.

In the piezoelectric effect, acoustic vibratory energy is convertedinterchangeably with EM energy by a transducer. Biologic piezoelectricstructures can modulate the same conversion of energy, thereby acting asliving transducers. Thus, when an EM field is applied to a biologicpiezoelectric structure, an acoustic wave is produced. Likewise, when anacoustic wave is applied to a biologic piezoelectric structure, EMenergy is produced. The piezoelectric effect in biologic structures hasmany useful applications (see below.) This effect becomes even moreuseful when principles of acoustic resonance are applied. In the presentinvention specific biologic structures can be targeted with an acousticwave or EM energy at power levels that dramatically affect the targetstructure, but have virtually no effect on adjacent, nonresonantstructures. Although not previously postulated by others, biologicstructures functioning as living, resonant piezoelectric transducerswhich modulate the conversion of mechanical and EM energy is undoubtedlyone of the major underlying mechanisms responsible for the interactionof EM fields with biologic structures.

In the acoustoelectric effect, the passage of an acoustic wave through asemiconductor induces an electric current. The passage of an acousticwave through the material is postulated to cause a periodic spatialvariation of the potential energy of the charge carriers. This resultsin an electric field across the ends of the semiconductor as long as theacoustic wave is traversing the semiconductor. Free electron carriersare bunched in the potential-energy troughs, and as the acoustic wavehaving a specific frequency propagates, it drags the bunches along withit, resulting in an electric field such as a DC field pulsing at thespecific acoustic frequency or an AC field having a frequency equal tothe specific acoustic frequency. The effect is enhanced where there areboth positively and negatively charged carriers, and where there aremany different groups of carriers—conditions which are frequently foundin biologic systems. The attributes of the current produced depend onthe unique molecular and atomic components of the structure in question.This aspect alone provides a means to perform acoustoelectricspectroscopy on biologics many of which are semiconductors, anddepending on the selected frequency, the acoustoelectric effect inbiological structures has many other potentially useful applications.Thus understood, a targeted structure can be irradiated or exposed toacoustic energy having non-resonant frequency and an electromagneticenergy pattern of the acoustoelectric effect in the structure can bedetected. This detected non-resonant electromagnetic signature can beused as a signature to affect, detect and identify the targetedstructure.

However, the acoustoelectric effect becomes even more useful whenprinciples of acoustic resonance are applied. Augmentation, detection,and/or disruption of biologics can be targeted to specific structures atpower levels that dramatically affect the target structure, but havevirtually no effect on nearby, nonresonant structures. The currentproduced by the acoustoelectric effect in a resonant structure will bemuch stronger than any current produced by neighboring non-resonantstructures, and may be of an alternating nature. The large signal tonoise ratio obtained from a resonant structure improves accuracy ofacoustic and EM energy pattern identification and detection. Similar toreversal of the piezoelectric effect and acoustic resonance intrinsicenergy dissipation pathway (see above), application of the resonantacoustoelectric EM energy pattern to a targeted structure will amplifythe acoustic wave (acoustoelectric gain which peaks at the frequency forwhich the acoustic wavelength is the Debye length, where bunching isoptimum). Thus, combined use of the resonant acoustic, acoustoelectricand/or EM fields permit greater tissue penetration of high frequencyacoustic energy that would otherwise be highly attenuated and have poortissue penetration. Using the resonant acoustic frequency,acoustoelectric and/or EM fields together also allows for the use oflower power levels of these types of energy, lessening the potentialeffects on other nontargeted and nonresonant structures.

The magnetoacoustic effect is the magnetic-field-dependent attenuationof an acoustic field in a monotonic, oscillatory, or resonant manner,depending on the electronic properties of the substance in question.This variability in result, depending on structural composition,provides a further enhancement of acousto-EM spectroscopy in relation tobiologics and other structures, via addition of a magnetic field. Also,the addition of a magnetic field provides the means to amplify orattenuate an acoustic field, thus improving or modulating thepenetration of the acoustic field in biologic tissues.

Similarly, resonant acoustics combined with acoustic cyclotron resonance(i.e., resonant acoustic cyclotron resonance) and Doppler-shiftedresonant acoustic cyclotron resonance presents a powerful, and precisemeans of selectively causing augmentation, detection and/or disruptionof structures.

The present invention provides a method that applies the principles ofacoustic resonance to biologic structures for the purpose of disruptionand/or augmentation of functions of the specifically targeted biologicstructure. The resonant acoustic frequency of a biologic structure maybe determined by performing resonant acoustic spectroscopy using methodsand systems well know in the art. Particularly, a resonant acousticfrequency of a biologic structure may by determined by the steps of:

-   -   a) applying acoustic energy to the biologic structure and        scanning through a range of acoustic energy frequencies; and    -   b) detecting at least one specific frequency which causes a        maximum signal output from the biologic structure indicating the        biologic structure being induced into acoustic resonance by the        at least one specific frequency.

The specific frequencies causing the maximum signals are the resonantacoustic frequencies of the biologic structure which are defined andused herein as the acoustic signature of the biologic structure. Oncedetermined, at least one resonant acoustic frequency may be applied tothe biologic structure to affect functioning therein and/or to determineits acousto-EM signature.

The acoustic energy, including the resonant acoustic frequencies (i.e.,the acousto-EM signature) may be applied at a power level sufficient toaffect functioning of the biologic structure. Depending on the powerintensity of the acoustic energy, and the type of targeted structurethat is induced into acoustic resonance, the structure may have itsfunctions affected, such as disruption and/or augmentation.

At lower power levels functions of the biologic structure can beaugmented while at higher power levels disruption of the structure mayoccur. Augmentation as used herein encompasses beneficial effects on thebiologic structure. Such augmenting of functions or enhancing effectsinclude but are not limited to enhancement of growth, reproduction,regeneration, embryogenesis, metabolism, fermentation, and the like. Theresults of such enhancement include but are not limited to increase inbone mass or density, increase in number and maturation of eggs,increase in number and/or function of leukocytes, increase infermentation products in beer, wine and cheese manufacturing, increasein plant germination and growth and the like.

There are some situations where the ability to selectively disrupt astructure with acoustic resonance is very useful as disclosed in thepresent invention. As stated above, disruption as used herein refers todeleterious effects on the biologic structure. Such deleterious effectsinclude but are not limited to structural failure of the biologicstructure resulting in lysis, shattering, rupture or inactivation of thebiologic or of one or more components of the biologic structure.Disruption as used herein also includes within its ambit inhibition ofvital processes required for growth, reproduction, metabolism,infectivity and the like. Components which may be targeted fordisruption include, but are not limited to DNA, RNA, proteins,carbohydrates, lipids, lipopolysaccharides, glycolipids, glycoproteins,proteoglycans, chloroplasts, mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, cells,organs and the like. In the case of virulent organisms, the virulencefactors may be specifically targeted for disruption to prevent orinhibit the growth, infectivity or virulence of the organism. Suchvirulence factors include but are not limited to endotoxins, exotoxins,pili, flagella, proteases, ligands for host cell receptors, capsules,cell walls, spores, chitin, and the like.

Organics, biologics or one or more targeted portions thereof which areamenable to disruption using the methods of the present inventioninclude but are not limited to viruses, bacteria, protozoans, parasites,fungi, worms, mollusks, arthropods, tissue masses, and the like. Theorganics or biologics to be disrupted may be isolated, present in amulticellular organism or portion thereof, or other complex environment.

It is postulated that disruption of the targeted biologic structurewithout affecting nearby tissue or structures occurs due to acousticresonance being induced only in the targeted structure which until nowhas not been considered a mechanism to affect a biologic structure. Thisis very different from that disclosed in the prior art whichcontemplates only three mechanisms for affecting a biologic structurewhich include cavitation, thermal and mechanical.

At specific power levels, such as in lower levels, that do not cause theactual disruption of a structure, resonant acoustic energy canintrinsically dissipate within the structure. This intrinsicallydissipated acoustic energy can be converted by the structure into anelectromagnetic energy having specific properties and/or fields that maybe manifested as direct and alternating currents, electric and magneticfields, electromagnetic radiation and the like. The pattern of theelectromagnetic energy represents a produced acousto-EM signature of thestructure.

The present invention provides a method to determine an acousto-EMsignature of a structure which comprises irradiating the structure withacoustic energy having a frequency at or near a previously determinedresonant acoustic frequency of the structure to induce resonance thereinand detecting the electromagnetic energy pattern caused by the intrinsicdissipation of energy.

Once an acousto-EM signature is determined for a specific structure,this structure can be induced into acoustic resonance by applying an EMenergy pattern or equivalent to the acousto-EM signature of thestructure. Typical electromagnetic energies applied include direct andalternating current, electric and magnetic fields, and electromagneticradiation and the like.

As such, the present invention applies the principles of acousticresonance by applying resonant acoustic frequencies and electromagneticenergy equivalent to the predetermined acousto-EM signature of atargeted structure individually, or in combination, to affect thetargeted structure, the method comprising the steps of:

-   -   a) applying at least one resonant acoustic frequency of the        targeted structure; and/or    -   b) applying electromagnetic energy equivalent to part or all of        the acousto-EM signature of the targeted structure; and    -   c) applying (a) and/or (b) each at a power intensity level to        induce acoustic resonance within the targeted structure and        affect functioning of the structure.

Either the resonant acoustic frequency of the targeted structure or theacousto-EM signature must be predetermined, as discussed above, toprovide the applicable energy for inducing acoustic resonance in thestructure. The electromagnetic energy can be introduced into thetargeted structure in the form of a direct or alternating current havinga specific frequency that is equivalent to the electromagnetic energypattern (i.e., the acousto-EM signature) detected when the structure isinduced into acoustic resonance. Furthermore each type of energy can beapplied at a power level less than used individually and this allows forinducing acoustic resonance in the structure with the possibility ofreducing damage to the structure.

The present invention provides a method for detecting and/or identifyinginorganic or biologic structures using resonant acoustic and/oracousto-EM energy. The method includes determining the acousticsignature of a structure by irradiating the structure with a range offrequencies to determine the specific frequency and/or frequencies thatinduce acoustic resonance therein to provide an acoustic signature ofthe structure. The acoustic signature can be compared with referencesignatures to detect and/or identify the structure.

Furthermore, the identification and/or detection of a structure can alsobe achieved by detecting an acousto-EM signature of a targetedstructure, the method comprising the steps of:

-   -   a) inducing acoustic resonance in the targeted structure; and    -   b) detecting an electromagnetic energy pattern from the targeted        structure in acoustic resonance which represents an acousto-EM        signature of the structure.

The acousto-EM signature can be compared to reference signatures todetect and/or identify the structure.

The targeted structure can be induced into acoustic resonance byintroducing acoustic energy including at least one resonant acousticfrequency, electromagnetic energy equivalent to the resonant acousticfrequency, and/or an electromagnetic energy pattern equivalent to theacousto-EM signature.

The electromagnetic energy pattern manifested as electromagneticproperties and fields may be determined by detection means well known tothose skilled in the art such as those disclosed in Introduction toElectromagnetic Fields and Waves, by Erik V. Bohn Addison-WesleyPublishing Co., 1968, the contents of which are incorporated byreference herein.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a structure may beinduced into acoustic resonance by applying to the structure part or allof the acousto-EM signature of the structure to induce the structureinto acoustic resonance. If the structure is induced into acousticresonance, this fact may be used to detect and/or identify thestructure. This represents another method of the present invention thatmay used for identification or detection of a specific structure,because each structure will not only have its own unique acousticsignature but also will have a unique acousto-EM signature to which itresponds by resonating acoustically. Also, depending on the powerintensity of the electromagnetic properties and/or fields and the typeof targeted structure that is induced into acoustic resonance, thestructure may have its functions affected, such as disruption and/oraugmentation.

In all the above embodiments the introduction of acoustic and/orelectromagnetic energy including a resonant acoustic frequency can beapplied in either continuous and/or periodic form depending on thedesired effect.

The acoustic and/or EM energy or fields may be applied individually orin combination. Likewise the acoustic and/or EM energy or fields may bedetected individually or in combination.

Many biochemical compounds and biologic structures are naturallyoccurring crystals and especially susceptible in that regard to theeffects of resonant acoustic energy. Many biologic substances arepiezoelectric materials. For instance, bone is a piezoelectric materialand the piezoelectric properties of bone play a vital role in itsbiological functions. As such, it is further envisioned by the inventorsthat biologic structures having a piezoelectric nature may be affectedby applying a sufficient amount of acoustic energy and/orelectromagnetic energy to induce the structure into resonance therebyaffecting the functions of the biologic structure either positively ornegatively. Thus understood, biologic structures that act as livingtransducers may be induced into acoustic resonance by introducingelectromagnetic energy equivalent to a resonant acoustic frequency ofthe biologic structure which is converted to mechanical energy by theliving transducer thereby inducing acoustic resonance in the structure.

Another aspect of the invention is a system for detecting a biologic orinorganic structure by determining the resonant acoustic and/oracousto-EM signature of the structure comprising:

-   -   a) means for inducing acoustic resonance in the biologic or        inorganic structure;    -   b) means for detecting the acoustic signature of the biologic or        inorganic structure; and    -   c) means for comparing the acoustic signature of the biologic or        inorganic structure with a reference acoustic signature of the        structure.

Also, the above system may also or instead comprise means for detectinga resonant acousto-EM energy signature of the structure in acousticresonance which produces an electromagnetic energy pattern such asdescribed above. The acousto-EM signature can be compared with apreviously determined reference acousto-EM signature by providing meansfor comparing in a detection or identification system. Theelectromagnetic energy pattern is manifested as electromagneticproperties and/or fields that include but are not limited to energy inthe form of direct and alternating current, electric and magneticfields, and electromagnetic radiation. The targeted structure can beinduced into acoustic resonance by introducing acoustic energy includingat least one resonant acoustic frequency, electromagnetic energyequivalent to the resonant acoustic frequency, and/or an electromagneticenergy pattern equivalent to the acousto-EM signature.

In another embodiment of the present invention a system for augmentingand/or disrupting a targeted biologic structure comprises means forapplying acoustic energy including a previously determined resonantacoustic frequency to induce acoustic resonance in the biologicstructure, the acoustic energy being applied at a sufficient power inputto affect functions of the biologic structure. Alternatively, thetargeted structure may be induced into acoustic resonance by providingelectromagnetic energy equivalent to the resonant acoustic frequency orthe acousto-EM signature that was previously determined, suchelectromagnetic energy including direct and alternating current,electric and magnetic fields, and electromagnetic energy.

In yet another embodiment a system is provided to introduce acousticenergies having acoustic frequencies at or near the resonant acousticfrequencies of the targeted structure and also electromagnetic energy toaugment the resonant acoustic frequencies comprising:

-   -   means for introducing a frequency at or near the resonant        acoustic frequency of the targeted structure; and    -   means for introducing electromagnetic energy equivalent to the        electromagnetic energy pattern previously determined as an        acousto-EM signature of the structure, such means including        direct and alternating current, electric and magnetic fields,        and/or electromagnetic radiation and the like.

The acoustic energy and EM energy equivalent to the acousto-EM signaturemay be applied and/or detected by a single means that can apply bothtypes of energy.

Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the invention willbe set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of thefollowing or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objectsand advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means ofthe instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in theappended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects, features and many of the advantages of the invention willbe better understood upon a reading of the following detaileddescription when considered in connection with the accompanying drawingswherein:

FIG. 1 is a block schematic of a basic Acoustic Energy GeneratingSystem.

FIG. 2 is a block schematic of a basic Acoustic Energy Detection System.

FIG. 3 is a block schematic of a stationary magnetic field applied to abiologic structure.

FIG. 4 is a block schematic of an oscillating magnetic field applied toa biologic structure.

FIG. 5 is a block schematic of a direct or alternating current appliedto a biologic structure.

FIG. 6 is a block schematic of a static charge applied to a biologicstructure.

FIG. 7 is a block schematic of delivery of electromagnetic radiation toa biologic structure.

FIG. 8 is a block schematic of detection of a stationary or oscillatingmagnetic field in a biologic structure.

FIG. 9 is a block schematic of detection of a static charge in abiologic structure.

FIG. 10 is a block schematic of detection of electromagnetic radiationemitted from a biologic structure.

FIG. 11 is a block schematic of detection of direct and alternatingcurrent in a biologic structure.

FIG. 12 is a block schematic showing a method for determining resonantacoustic frequencies of viruses.

FIG. 13 is a block schematic showing a method for assessing the effectsof resonant acoustic fields on viruses.

FIG. 14 is a block schematic showing a method for disrupting virusesextra corporeally with resonant acoustic fields.

FIG. 15 is a block schematic showing a method for disrupting viruses invivo intravascularly with resonant acoustic fields.

FIG. 16 is a block schematic showing a method for disrupting viruses invivo in multicellular organism with resonant acoustic fields.

FIG. 17 is a block schematic showing a method for disrupting viruses ina portion of a multicellular organism with a resonant acoustic fieldprobe.

FIG. 18 is a block schematic showing a method for disrupting viruses ina portion of a multicellular organism with a resonant acoustic fieldsheet.

FIGS. 19 A & B are block schematics showing a method for determiningresonant acoustic and/or acousto-EM frequencies of viruses.

FIG. 20 is a block schematic showing a method for assessing effects ofresonant acoustic and/or acousto-EM fields on viruses.

FIG. 21 is a block schematic showing a method for disrupting virusesextracorporeally with resonant acoustic and/or acousto-EM fields.

FIG. 22 is a block schematic showing a method for disrupting viruses invivo intravascularly with resonant acoustic and/or acousto-EM fields.

FIG. 23 is a block schematic showing a method for disrupting virus in aportion of a multicellular organism with resonant acoustic and/oracousto-EM field probe.

FIGS. 24 A & B are block schematics showing a method for determiningresonant acoustic and/or acousto-EM frequencies of microorganisms.

FIG. 25 is a block schematic showing a method for augmentingmicroorganisms with resonant acoustic and/or acousto-EM fields.

FIG. 26 is a block schematic showing a method for disruptingmicroorganisms with resonant acoustic and/or acousto-EM fields.

FIG. 27 is a block schematic showing a method for determining resonantacoustic and/or acousto-EM frequencies of arthropods.

FIG. 28 is a block schematic showing a method for disrupting arthropodsusing resonant acoustic and/or acousto-EM energy.

FIG. 29 is a block schematic showing a method for augmenting andmaintaining normal bone structure in individuals with osteoporosis.

FIG. 30 is a block schematic showing a method for maintaining normalbone structure in normal individuals during weightlessness.

FIG. 31 is a block schematic showing a method for detecting benign ormalignant tissue types using resonant acoustic and/or acousto-EM energy.

FIG. 32 is a block schematic showing a method for stimulating and/ordisrupting proteoglycans adhesive units between cells using resonantacoustic and/or acousto-EM energy.

FIG. 33 is a block schematic showing a method for augmenting,identifying, detecting, and/or disrupting structures of multicellularorganisms using resonant acoustic and/or acousto-EM energy.

FIG. 34 is a block schematic showing a method for augmenting the growthrate of multicellular organisms using resonant acoustic and/oracousto-EM energy.

FIGS. 35 A & B are block diagrams showing a method and system fordetermining acoustic and/or acousto-EM frequencies of inorganic materialor structure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The methods of the present invention comprise DELIVERING acoustic energyat resonant frequencies to an inorganic or biologic structure as shownin FIG. 1. Using methods known to those skilled in the art, any devicecapable of generating and transmitting acoustic energy through anymedium can be used to generate the resonant acoustic frequenciesutilized by the invention. This includes, but is not limited to, devicesthat produce acoustic energy using traditional EM stimulation ofpiezoelectric transducers, (man-made or naturally occurring), purelymechanical devices (such as high frequency air whistles), and laserdevices. Individual components for acoustic energy systems arecommercially available from a wide variety of manufacturers, which canbe configured to particular applications and frequency ranges. (SeeThomas Directory of American Manufacturers, Photonics Buyer's Guide,1996, Microwave and RF, and Electronic Engineer's Master Catalogue).

Any oscillator, also called signal generator or function generator, thatproduces a signal with predetermined characteristics such as frequency,mode, pulse duration, shape, and repetition rate may be utilized togenerate the resonant acoustic frequencies utilized by the invention.Various oscillators or signal generators can be commercially purchasedfor frequencies ranging from Hertz to Gigahertz, such as the MicroLambdaLMOS series (500 MHz-18 GHz), the BK Precision 2005A (100 KHZ-450 MHz)(B&K Precision, Chicago, Ill.), the Tektronix SME02 (5 KHZ-5 GHz), andthe Tektronix 25 SME 4040 (0.5 Hz-20 MHz) (Tektronic, Inc., Beaverton,Oreg.), and the Matec 700 series (1-1100 MHz) and the like.

The frequency at which resonance occurs depends on the size, shape, andcomposition of a structure. For instance, the resonant frequency of asphere is the frequency at which the acoustic wavelength is equal to thesphere diameter. A more complex structure—a cylinder—has two resonantfrequencies based on two axes of orientation, with one of the resonantfrequency wavelengths being equal to 1.5 times the length. The morecomplex the shape of the structure, the more complex the resonantacoustic frequency pattern, however, the wavelength at which acousticresonance occurs is roughly equivalent to the size of the structure.

The frequency which matches a particular acoustic wavelength depends onthe composition of the structure, according to the equation:velocity=frequency×wavelength  (1)where velocity refers to the speed of the acoustic wave propagation (thespeed of sound) in the medium composing the structure. Although thespeed of sound varies among various biological tissues, it is roughlyequivalent to the speed of sound in water (1,500 m/s), because mostbiologic organisms are composed chiefly of water. Using the speed ofsound in water as the velocity of the acoustic wave, and using thestructure size as the rough equivalent of the wavelength, theapproximate range of acoustic frequencies in organic or biologicstructures, is given by:

$\begin{matrix}{{Frequency} = {\frac{Velocity}{Wavelength} = {\frac{Velocity}{Size} = \frac{1\text{,}500\mspace{14mu} m\text{/}s}{Size}}}} & (2)\end{matrix}$(See the Chart that Follows.)Other known speeds of sound in biologic tissues vary and include:

-   (1) liver (1550 m/s); (2) muscle (1580 m/s); (3) fat (1459 m/s); (4)    brain (1560 m/s); (5) kidney (1560 m/s); (6) spleen (1570 m/s); (7)    blood (1575 m/s); (8) bone (4080 m/s); (9) lung (650 m/s); (10) lens    of eye (1620 m/s); (11) aqueous humor (1500 m/s); and (12) vitreous    humor (1520 m/s). Resonant acoustic frequency ranges for targeted    organic or biologic structures comprised of tissues with acoustic    velocities different from the speed of sound in water, are derived    using the same equation (velocity/wavelength) and correlate to the    charted ranges listed below, plus or minus, depending on the speed    of sound in the targeted tissue.

Although velocity of acoustic energy in a particular medium is for themost part constant, there is a slight dependence of velocity onfrequency—an effect called dispersion. For example, over the frequencyrange of 1 to 20 MHz, the acoustic velocity changes by 1%. Thus, in thepresent invention the resonant frequency(s) or at least the range offrequencies within which the resonant frequency can be found for atargeted structure depend on its size, shape, and composition, and thespecific frequency range under examination. Some approximate acousticresonant frequencies for biologic structures are included in thefollowing Table 1.

TABLE 1 Approximate Acoustic Resonant Frequency Ranges for BiologicStructures * Hertz 10 m-- --whales 150 Hz-- -- * KiloHertz 1 m----humans 1.5 kHz-- -- 1 dm-- --hamster 15 kHz-- -- 1 cm-- --beetle 150kHZ-- -- * MegaHertz 1 mm-- --lice 1.5 MHz-- -- 100 μm-- --plant cells15 MHz-- -- 10 μm-- --animal cells 150 MHz-- -- * GigaHertz 1 μm----bacteria 1.5 gHz-- -- 100 nm-- --viruses 15 gHz-- -- 10 nm----proteins 150 gHz-- -- * TerraHertz 1 nm-- --small molecules 1.5 tHz---- (Speed of sound = 1,500 m/s)

To obtain the maximum transfer of acoustical energy from one medium toanother, the characteristic acoustical impedance of each should be asnearly equal to the other as possible. This problem of impedancematching, as it is termed, occurs in many branches of physics, and isemployed in acoustical techniques, as a means of matching two media ofdifferent acoustical impedances R1 and R2 respectively. The matchingmedium is sandwiched between the other two and should be the appropriatethickness relative to the wavelength of the sound transmitted, and itsacoustical impedance R should be nearly equal to √{square root over((R₁R₂))}. An impedance matching device that is commercially availableand which can be utilized in this invention includes Model 60,manufactured by Matec Instruments, Inc.

Acoustic energy can be produced by a transducer that converts receivedelectromagnetic energy into rapid, physical vibrations, and thusacoustic energy. The first acoustic transducers used the piezoelectricproperties of naturally occurring quartz to produce acoustic energywaves.EM energy→piezoelectric transducer→acoustic energy waves

New transducers use materials such as ferroelectric ceramics (bariumtitanate, lead titanate, or lead zirconate) and zinc oxide. Recentadvances in materials engineering have also produced piezoelectricpolymers which can be shaped into sheets and cords, allowing amultiplicity of applications.

Transducers are also commercially available from a wide variety ofmanufacturers, in a wide variety of designs which can be configured toparticular applications and frequencies. Examples of acoustictransducers that may be utilized in the present invention and which canbe commercially purchased for frequencies ranging from Hertz toGigahertz include Matec broadband immersion transducers MIA series(10-196 MHz), Matec broadband MIBO series (5-10 MHz), Matec broadbandMICO (3.5 MHz), Matec broadband MIDO (2.25 MHz), Matec broadband MwOseries (50 KHZ-1 MHz), Matec GPUT series (500 KHz-20 MHz), Matecintravascular blood flow VP-A50 series (5-30 MHz), the TeledyneElectronic Technologies In-phase or Out-of phase broadband MHz/GHz (upto 17.5 GHz) array transducer of zinc oxide on sapphire and optionalanti-reflective coating, and Channel Industries Kilohertz transducers.In the ultrahigh acoustic frequencies (upper GHz and THz) maser andlaser systems may be utilized.

The transducers can produce an acoustic wave within a range offrequencies (broadband) or for one specific frequency (narrowband).

Commercially available acoustic amplifiers include but are not limitedto Matec gated amplifier systems (100 KHZ-200 MHz), and EM broadbandamplifier model 607L (0.8-1,000 MHz.)

Complete acoustic systems including power frame, computer interface,pulse width generator, gated amplifier, broadband receiver, and phasedetector (100 KHZ-100 MHz) can be purchased commercially from sourcessuch as Matec.

The acoustic delivery system is variable depending on the application.Acoustic energy waves can be transmitted into gaseous, liquid, or solidmedia either by direct contact of the transducer with the targetstructure medium, or by coupling of transmission of the acoustic wavethrough other structures or mediums one of which is in direct contactwith the target structure. In the case of biologic structures, couplingthrough multiple structures or media is a likely occurrence, as theacoustic wave travels through multiple layers of biologic tissue toreach its target structure. If the target structure is a liquid, atransducer can be placed into the liquid in direct contact with it, orthe liquid can be placed in a container whose walls are themselvestransducers, in direct contact with the liquid. Also, a transducer canbe placed on the outside of the walls of a container in which the liquidis placed.

If the target structure is a solid, a transducer can again be placed indirect contact with it. The solid can be placed in a gas or liquid whichis used as a coupling agent. A liquid or gel-type coupling agent canalso couple between a free-standing solid and a transducer, when thetransducer is placed on a surface of the solid.

The present invention also comprises receiving and analyzing acousticenergy derived from an inorganic or biologic structure as shown in FIG.2. Using methods known to those skilled in the art, any device capableof receiving and analyzing acoustic energy through any medium can beused to detect the resonant acoustic and/or acousto-EM frequenciesutilized by the invention.

Detection of acoustic energy waves is basically the reverse process ofproducing acoustic energy waves. Acoustic energy waves striking atransducer apply a mechanical stress, producing electric polarizationproportional to the mechanical stress via the piezoelectric effect. Theresultant EM energy is converted electronically via oscilloscope typedevices to a readable format.EM energy←piezoelectric transducer←acoustic energy waves.

Thus, piezoelectric transducers may be used to both produce and detectacoustic energy, using the reversible piezoelectric effect.

The structure after being induced into an acoustic resonance state willemit vibrational waves that will cause mechanical stress in thetransducer. In turn, an alternating potential difference having the samefrequency as the acoustic wave appears as voltage across electrodesconnected to a transducer. This voltage is converted via oscilloscopetype devices to a readable format.

Oscilloscopes that may be utilized in the present invention include butare not limited to those such as the BK Precision 21 60A (0-60 MHz), theTektronix TDS 784A (0-1 GHz), the Tektronix TDS 820 (6-8 GHz), theTektronix 1180 a B (0-50 GHz); and spectrum analyzers such asHewlett-Packard 8577A (100 Hz-40 GHz), HP 8555A (10 MHz-40 GHz),Tektronix 492 (50 KHZ-21 GHz), Anritsu MS62C (50 Hz-1.7 GHz), andPolarad 640B (3 MHz-40 GHz) which are all commercially available.

Complete acoustic detection and analysis systems (50 KHz-100 MHz)including power frame, computer interface, pulse width generator, gatedamplifier, broadband receiver, phase detector, control software,pre-amplifiers, diode expander, diplexer, filter, and attenuators can bepurchased commercially from Matec Instruments Inc., or from othersources.

The acoustic energy under examination can be either reflected ortransmitted. For example, in traditional medical ultrasound methods, anacoustic wave is produced from a single transducer. The acoustic wavestrikes various structures. Some of the acoustic wave is reflected backfrom the structures and is detected as reflected waves by the samesingle transducer. Some of the acoustic wave may also be transmittedthrough the structures. Many industrial applications of acoustic energyutilize the transmitted, rather than reflected waves.

The present invention also comprises delivering EM energy at resonantacoustic and/or resonant acousto-EM frequencies to a targeted structureas shown in FIGS. 3-7.

If a resonant system is embedded in a fluid environment (as is the casewith most biologic structures) the dissipation of energy occurs throughan intrinsic source in the system (i.e. via conversion to EM energy), orthrough loss to the nearby medium (via coupling and transmission ofacoustic energy). Using methods known to those skilled in the art, anydevice capable of generating and transmitting EM energy through anymedium can be used to generate the resonant acoustic and/or acousto-EMenergy utilized by the present invention including, but not limited to,stationary and oscillating magnetic field (FIGS. 3 and 4), direct oralternating current (FIG. 5), static charge (FIG. 6), electric field,and EM radiation (FIG. 7).

Electrodes for delivering direct and alternating current are availablecommercially from a wide variety of sources.

Magnetic field generators are commercially available and include RadioShack Rare-earth magnets 64-1895, GMW Model 5403AC and the like.Oscillators and signal generators as listed above in FIGS. 1 and 2 arecommercially available. Likewise, numerous EM radiation delivery systemsare commercially available including Waveline Model 99 series StandardGain Horns (1.7-40 GHz), and JEMA JA-1 50-MS.

Systems known to those skilled in the art for exposing biologicstructures to EM energy include anechoic chambers, transverseelectromagnetic cells (TEM), resonant cavities, near-field synthesizer,waveguide cell culture exposure system, and coaxial transmission lineexposure cells.

The present invention also comprises receiving and analyzing EM energyderived from a targeted structure as shown in FIGS. 8-11. Using methodsknown to those skilled in the art, any device capable of sensing andanalyzing EM energy through any medium can be used to detect theresonant acoustic and/or acousto-EM frequencies utilized by theinvention. Direct and alternating current can be assessed by measuringvoltage changes (FIG. 11) with 15 voltmeters such as the BK Precision283 1A (0-1200V, 0.1 mV resolution, or the BK Precision 3910-1 OOOV, 10uV resolution), detection of static charge (FIG. 9) and by measuringstationary and oscillating magnetic field changes (FIG. 8) with a systemsuch as HET Micro Switch 5594A1F transducer by Honeywell, andinstrumentation amplifier chip AD524 by Analog Devices. Monitoringelectrodes which are EM field compatible and nonperturbing are made ofcarbon loaded Teflon by Technical 20 Fluorocarbons Engineering and byPolymer Corp.

Broadband survey meters are commercially available such as Aeritalia RVand 307 series (1-1,000 MHZ), General Microwave Raham 12 (10 MHZ-18GHz), Holaday Industries 3000 series (5-300 MHz and 500 MHz-6 GHz),Narda Microwave 8608 (10 MHz-26 GHz), and Instruments for Industry RHM-1(10 KHz-220 MHZ) and the like.

Electric field strength meters are commercially available throughsources including but not limited to Rohde & Schwarz MSU (25-1000 MHz),Rohde & Schwarz MSU (0.1-30 MHz), Scientific Atlanta 1640APZ (20 MHz-32GHz), Electro-Metrics EMS-25 (20 KHz-1 GHz), Anritsu M, NM series (500KHz-1 GHz) and the like.

Magnetic fields may be assessed using the Bartington FluxgateNanoteslameter, Mag-01 and the like.

Spectrum analyzers are commercially available through sources includingbut not limited to HP 8566A (100 Hz-40 GHz), HP 8555A (10 MHz-40 GHz),Tektronix 492 (50 kHz-21 GHz), Anritsu M562C (50 Hz-1.7 GHz), andPolarad 640B (3 MHz-40 GHz) and the like.

Thermocouple E-field probes are manufactured by Narda, and tissueimplantable E-field probes include, for example, the Narda 26088, theEIT 979, and the Holaday IME-O1. Field probes can be connected with theexternal circuitry by optical-fiber telemetry. This limits perturbationof the test field and eliminates RF interference, thus improving signalto noise detection. Optical fiber kits with transmitter and receiver arecommercially available from Hewlett-Packard and Burr-Brown.

EM transmitters, include but are not limited to the JEMA, modelJA-150-MS (139-174 MHz) and the like.

While the invention is described in relation to certain specificembodiments and certain system components, it will be understood thatmany variations are possible, and alternative equipment and/orarrangement of components can be used without departing from theinvention. In some cases such variations and substitutions may requiresome experimentation, but will only involve routine testing.

The following examples and descriptions of the specific embodiments willso fully reveal the general nature of the invention that others can, byapplying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for variousapplications such specific embodiments without departing from thegeneric concept, and therefore such adaptations and modifications areintended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalentsof the disclosed embodiments and system components.

EXAMPLE 1 Disruption, Augmentation, Detection and/or Identification ofViruses

Since the induction of resonance in a structure can lead to sudden andirreversible structural failure due to rupture of one or more componentsof that structure, biologic structures can be selectively disruptedusing resonant acoustic energy. The present invention takes advantage ofthe rigid, crystalline structure of viruses for the purposes ofdetection, augmentation, identification and/or physical disruption ofthe virion structure using acoustic energy and/or acousto-EM at theresonant frequencies unique to each specific virus. Viruses may beconsidered piezoelectric crystals, and therefore, can act as livingtransducers.

Human illnesses caused by viruses include hepatitis, influenza, chickenpox, mumps, measles, small pox, acquired immune deficiency syndrome(AIDS), ebola, polio, hemorrhagic fever, herpes and hairy cell leukemia.

Diseases in animals caused by viruses include but are not limited toparvo infection in dogs, feline leukemia, cowpox, rabies and avianplague.

One of the most notable examples of viral diseases in plant life is thehistorical potato famine in Ireland, caused by a virus which infectspotato plants.

There are two major types of virus symmetry—icosahedral and helical. Theicosahedral shape is roughly equivalent to a soccer ball, while thehelical shape looks like a toy slinky. The majority of viruses fall intoone of these groups, the remainder being complex or unknown. Theicosahedral is roughly a spherical shape made up of 20 identical,equilateral triangles, with 3 axes of five-fold symmetry. In the helix,the units of the capsid spiral out around the nucleic acid, which runsdown the center of the virus, and there is only one axis of spiralingsymmetry.

Within each symmetry group, viruses can further be separated into DNAand RNA groups. Viruses have a central core of nucleic material, eitherDNA or RNA. This nucleic core is surrounded by a symmetrical proteinshell, called a capsid or protein coat. The capsid is composed ofindividual capsomere morphological units, which are in turn composed ofindividual structural units. The structural units are also calledcrystallographic units, because they form a repeating pattern and can bedemonstrated with X-ray crystallographic diffraction techniques.Structural units are the building blocks of the virus structure and areusually identical proteins.

In some viruses, a lipoprotein membrane, or envelope, surrounds thecapsid. The envelope is derived from host cell membranes and is modifiedby the virus during its departure from the host cell. The envelope maycarry specific virus proteins such as hemagglutinin or neuraminidasethat are important for future functions and survival of the virus. Theenvelope of some viruses is studded with projections, or peplomers,which look like a fringe around the edge. The fringe may also beimportant for function and survival of the virus.

Classically, the piezoelectric phenomenon is said to exist when theapplication of a mechanical stress to certain dielectric (electricallynonconducting) crystals produces electric polarization (electric dipolemoment per cubic meter) which is proportional to the mechanical stress.Conversely, application of an EM field to a crystal produces mechanicalstress and distortion, and hence acoustic energy.

A necessary condition for the piezoelectric phenomenon in a crystal isthe absence of a center of symmetry. Twenty of the 32 classicallydefined crystal classes lack a center of symmetry and are piezoelectric.Viruses are crystalline structures and as such are susceptible tovibrational effects by the use of resonant acoustic and/or acousto-EMenergy. Icosahedral viruses have 5-fold symmetry and thus do not have aclassical center of symmetry in their crystalline structure, thenecessary condition for a piezoelectric substance. Helical viruseslikewise do not have a classical center of symmetry, as the spiralingcapsids are offset from the 90 degree horizontal of the center axis. Inaddition to the crystalline structure of viruses being susceptible tothe vibrational resonant effects of acoustic energy, viruses, as used inthe present invention, may also function as piezoelectric, acousticresonance structures.

The classical 32 groups of naturally occurring crystals defined innon-organic chemistry, do not include a group with 5-fold or offsethelical symmetry. It is postulated by the inventors that viruses mayrepresent a 33rd and 34th group of naturally occurring crystals.

The present invention has the potential to significantly reduce thenumber and severity of viral infections suffered by the worldpopulation. The invention has the potential to augment production ofvaccines, or viral gene transfer. Also, the present has veterinaryapplications, i.e. treating viral infections in livestock and poultry,as well as agricultural applications. Unlike prior art treatments thatuse non-resonant frequencies in the ultrasound range, the presentinvention uses specific frequencies that create resonance in specificviruses, but not in the adjacent tissues. The methods of the presentinvention also use electromagnetic energy equivalent to the acousto-EMsignatures produced by viruses in a state of acoustic resonance, andutilize the piezoelectric, intrinsic energy dissipation,acoustoelectric, and/or magnetoacoustic properties of viruses, eitheralone, in combination with each other or in combination with a resonantacoustic field.

The disruption of viruses is useful to treat multicellular organisms, inparticular, animals, including mammals, birds, plants, fruit, insects,arthropods and the like or portions thereof which are susceptible toinfection by viruses. Portions of a multicellular organism which may betreated for disruption of viruses include but are not limited to wholebody, limbs, organs such as the kidney, spleen, liver, pancreas, heart,lung, gastrointestinal tract, and the like, tissue such as the cornea,bone, bone marrow, blood, cartilage and the like. Products derived fromthe multicellular organism such as blood products are included withinthe scope of the invention.

In one embodiment of the present invention used in disruption of avirus, the body or the portion of the body to be treated may be immersedin a conductive medium and acoustic waves applied through the medium tothe body or portion thereof at a resonant frequency to cause resonanceand disruption of the virus infecting the body or portion thereof. Theduration of the treatment is sufficient to disrupt at least about 25% ofthe virus present, preferably at least about 50%. In one embodiment theduration of treatment is sufficient to disrupt at least about 50% toabout 100% of the virus and at the same time have little or no harmfulside effects to the host multicellular organism. The power intensity isdependent upon the tissue or organism and may range from 1×10⁻¹¹ W/m² to1×10¹¹ W/m² and preferably from about 100 to about 10,000 W/m².

In the case where the multicellular organism is infected with more thanone genus or species of virus, it is desirable to treat the organismwith a resonant frequency specific to disrupt each type of virusinfecting the organism. As in the case of a human infected with HIV-1,opportunistic infections may occur caused by such viruses ascytomegalovirus, adenovirus, Herpes Simplex virus and the like. In sucha case, the unique resonant frequency may be applied for each organisminfecting the human.

The present method is beneficial in organ or tissue transplantation.Treatment of organs or tissues from a donor prior to transplantationprevents or inhibits the transmission of disease-causing viruses to therecipient. Such a method is useful in xenotransplants, allogeneictransplants, syngeneic transplants and the like. Donor organ or tissueto be treated for disruption of virus include but are not limited tocornea, heart, liver, lung, skin, bone, bone marrow cells, blood andblood products, kidney, pancreas and the like.

Examples of diseases caused by retroviruses which may be inhibited ortreated using the disruption methods described herein include but arenot limited to AIDS, leukemia, mouse mammary tumor, sarcoma and thelike.

Examples of diseases caused by Hepadna viruses include but are notlimited to Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, liver cancer, woodchuck hepatitis,ground squirrel hepatitis, duck hepatitis and the like.

Examples of diseases caused by Herpes viruses which may be prevented,inhibited or treated using the methods described herein include but arenot limited to genital and oral herpes, chickenpox, shingles,cytomegalovirus disease (birth defects and pneumonia), mononucleosis,Burkitt's lymphoma, nasopharyngeal cancer, bovine mammillitis,pseudorabies and the like.

Examples of diseases caused by Pox viruses which may be prevented,inhibited or treated using the methods described herein include but arenot limited to smallpox, cowpox, pseudocowpox, molluscum contagiosum,contagious pustular dermatitis, buffalopox, camelpox, monkeypox,rabbitpox, mousepox, bovine papular otomatitis, fowlpox, turkeypox,sheeppox, goatpox, harepox, squirrelpox, swinepox and the like.

Examples of diseases caused by Papova viruses which may be prevented,inhibited or treated using the method of disrupting viruses include butare not limited to human wart virus, genital warts, cervical cancer,progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, warts and tumors in mice,monkeys and rabbits.

Examples of diseases caused by Adenovirus which may be prevented,inhibited or treated using the method of disrupting viruses include butare not limited to upper respiratory tract infections, gastroenteritis,conjunctivitis and tumors.

Examples of diseases caused by Parvo viruses amenable to prevention,inhibition or treatment using the methods described herein include butare not limited to Fifth disease, bone marrow failure, Rheumatoidarthritis, fetal death and low birth weight, feline leukemia and thelike.

Examples of Picorna virus related diseases which may be prevented,inhibited or treated using the methods described herein include but arenot limited to polio, Hepatitis A, common cold, foot and mouth disease,encephalitis, myocarditis, enteritis, swine vesicular disease,contagious vesicular disease and the like.

Examples of diseases caused by Reo viruses amenable to prevention,inhibition or treatment using resonant acoustic energy include, but arenot limited to, upper respiratory tract infections, Colorado tick fever,gastroenteritis and the like.

Examples of Orthomyxo virus related diseases which may be prevented,inhibited or treated using the methods described herein include but arenot limited to influenza of man, pigs, horses, seals, birds and thelike.

Other examples of diseases caused by viruses which may be prevented,inhibited or treated using resonant acoustic energy of the presentinvention include but are not limited to viral diarrhea, infantilegastroenteritis, vesicular exanthema of swine, sea lion diseaseencephalomyelitis, Dengue fever, yellow fever, rubella, equineencephalomyelitis, hog cholera, Bwamba fever, Oriboca fever, Rift Valleyfever, Congo hemorrhagic fever, Nairobi sheep disease, African swinefever and the like.

The present method of disrupting a virus may also be utilized inagricultural settings. For example, plants, fruits, vegetables, and thelike, suspected of containing disease causing viruses may be treatedusing resonant acoustic and/or acousto-EM energy for disruption of theviruses. Portions of plants which may be treated for disruption of avirus include but are not limited to seeds, seedling, pulp, leaves,vegetables, fruits, and the like.

The methods of the present invention comprise delivering acoustic energyat resonant frequencies to viruses. For example, the qualitative andquantitative resonant frequencies can be determined in vitro as shown bythe apparatus in FIG. 12. A drop of fluid (whole blood, serum, culturefluid, or host cells, etc.) with known resonant acousticcharacteristics, and which also contains a known virus as determined bystandard virology methods, is placed on a thin disc of absorptive mediawith known resonant acoustic characteristics (paper, cellulose, cotton,polymer, etc.). A thin slice of viral-laden tissue or material (embeddedor sliced material such as provided commercially by Polysciences, Inc.JB-4 Embedding, Paraffin, Immuno-Bed Kit, LR Gold, Osteo-Bed Bone Kit,Polyfreeze, PEG 4000 Resin, PolyFin Paraffin, etc.) can be used. Thevirus disc is placed between two broadband low GHz or high MHztransducers such as disclosed above and clamped into place.

The target range of frequencies to be examined for qualitative viralresonance signatures are derived using the speed of sound in biologictissues 1,500 m/s divided by desired wavelength, based on viraldimensions. If the viral dimensions are unknown, they may be determinedby electron microscopy using techniques known in the art.

One transducer generates the acoustic signal and may sweep through awide band of target frequencies, and the other transducer detects thetransmitted acoustic signal. The acoustic signal transmitted from thevirus test disc/slice is fed into the positive lead of a signalanalyzer. The known acoustic signals from the test fluid and disc, ortest embedding material serve as a control and are fed into the negativelead of the signal analyzer. The control signatures are canceled out andthe remaining resonant acoustic signature displayed is from the virus inthe sample, yielding a qualitative result.

By varying the range of frequencies analyzed and comparing theamplitudes at each frequency, one can identify the primary resonantfrequencies, and the associated harmonic resonant frequencies. Theprimary resonant frequencies will have the highest amplitude. Each viruswill have multiple primary frequencies depending on viral dimensionsincluding, but limited to, the diameter, length (if cylindrical orhelical), apical distance, and unit distance. See Table 2 for calculatedranges of primary resonant frequencies for individual viruses, usingacoustic velocity as 1,500 m/s, and viral dimensions as currentlydetermined by standard virology methods. Results may vary in practicedepending on specific viral factors such as bulk modulus, dispersion,acoustic velocity in viral materials, in vivo vs. in vitro dimensions,etc. and thus the frequencies are in no way limited to the calculatedfrequencies in Table 2.

TABLE 2 I. ICOSAHEDRAL SYMMETRY A. DNA VIRUSES VIRUS DIAMETERS APICALLENGTH UNIT (nm) FREQUENCY (# capsomeres) (nm) 58% ave d (nm) DISTANCE(Hz) Parvovirus 21 7.143 × 10¹⁰  (32) 23 6.522 × 10¹⁰  (Adeno-Assoc.Virus) 22 6.818 × 10¹⁰  12.76 1.176 × 10¹⁰  6.63 2.26 × 10¹¹Polyomavirus 40 3.75 × 10¹⁰ (JC Virus, BK Virus, 50 3.00 × 10¹⁰ SimianVirus 40, 45 3.33 × 10¹⁰ Bovine, Baboon) 26.1 5.75 × 10¹⁰ (72) 13?skewed Papillomavirus 45 3.33 × 10¹⁰ (72) 55 2.72 × 10¹⁰ 50 3.00 × 10¹⁰29 5.17 × 10¹⁰ ? skewed Herpesvirus 95 1.57 × 10¹⁰ (162) 105 1.42 × 10¹⁰(Oral, genital, 100 1.50 × 10¹⁰ chickenpox, zoster, 58 2.58 × 10¹⁰ I,II, III) 25 6.00 × 10¹⁰ 9 1.66 × 10¹⁰ Bovine herpes virus 95 1.57 × 10¹⁰(162) 105 1.42 × 10¹⁰ 100 1.50 × 10¹⁰ 58 2.58 × 10¹⁰ 25 6.00 × 10¹⁰ 91.66 × 10¹¹ Herpesvirus IV virus 95 1.57 × 10¹⁰ (162) 105 1.42 × 10¹⁰(Epstein Barr) 100 1.50 × 10¹⁰ 58 2.58 × 10¹¹ 25 6.00 × 10¹⁰ 9 1.66 ×10¹¹ Herpesvirus V virus 95 1.57 × 10¹⁰ (162) 105 1.42 × 10¹⁰(Cytomegalo) 100 1.50 × 10¹⁰ 58 2.58 × 10¹⁰ 25 6.00 × 10¹⁰ 9 1.66 × 10¹¹50 nm core 3.00 × 10¹⁰ Adenovirus 70 2.14 × 10¹⁰ (252) 75 2.00 × 10¹⁰72.5 2.07 × 10¹⁰ 42.05 3.57 × 10¹⁰ 8.41 1.78 × 10¹¹ Vaccinia 200  7.5 ×10⁹ 250  6.0 × 10⁹ Variola 200  7.5 × 10⁹ (Smallpox) 250  6.0 × 10⁹Cowpox Virus 200  7.5 × 10⁹ 250  6.0 × 10⁹ Molluscum 200  7.5 × 10⁹Contagiosum 250  6.0 × 10⁹ ORFVirus 150  1.0 × 10¹⁰ 250  6.0 × 10⁹Paravaccinia 150  1.0 × 10¹⁰ 250  6.0 × 10⁹ Hepatitis B 40 3.75 × 10¹⁰Virus 45 (Dane Particle) 3.33 × 10¹⁰ 42.5 3.53 × 10¹⁰ 28 nm core 5.36 ×10¹⁰ (Spheres and bacillary forms noninfective) B. RNA VIRUSES VIRUSDIAMETERS TRIANGLE UNIT (nm) FREQUENCY (# capsomeres) (nm) LENGTH (nm)DISTANCE (Hz) Calicivirus 31 4.84 × 10¹⁰ 32 35 4.28 × 10¹⁰ 33 4.54 ×10¹⁰ 19.14 7.84 × 10¹⁰ 9.96 1.51 × 10¹¹ Picomavirus 25 6.00 × 10¹⁰ 32 305.00 × 10¹⁰ 27.5 5.45 × 10¹⁰ 15.95 9.40 × 10¹⁰ 8.29 1.81 × 10¹¹ Reovirus70 2.14 × 10¹⁰ (92) 75 2.00 × 10¹⁰ 72.5 2.07 × 10¹⁰ 42.05 3.57 × 10¹⁰14.02 1.07 × 10¹⁰ HIV 85 1.76 × 10¹⁰ 150 1.00 × 10¹⁰ 100 1.76 × 10¹⁰Surface spikes 12 nm 1.25 × 10¹⁰ 18 nm 8.33 × 10¹⁰ Cone width ¼ ofdiameter II. HELICAL SYMMETRY RNA VIRUSES Influenza 80 1.88 × 10¹⁰HumanA, B 120 1.25 × 10¹⁰ & C, Avian Peplomers 10 nm (A & B) 1.50 × 10¹⁰Peplomers 8 nm (C) 1.88 × 10¹¹ A-6 nm wide helix core 6.66 × 10¹¹ C-9 nmwide helix core 1.66 × 10¹¹ Parainfluenza 90 1.66 × 10¹⁰ (Mumps, Croup)300 5.00 × 10⁹  Helix 15 nm 1.00 × 10¹¹ Helix 19 nm 7.89 × 10¹⁰ 7.5 nmby 2.00 × 10¹¹ 3 nm 5.00 × 10¹¹ Central canal 5 nm 3.00 × 10¹¹Paramyxovirus 90 1.66 × 10¹⁰ (NewcastleDs. 300 5.00 × 10⁹  Avian,Simian, Helix 15 nm 1.00 × 10¹¹ Measles) Helix 19 nm 7.89 × 10¹⁰ Centralcanal 5 nm 3.00 × 10¹¹ Respiratory 120 1.25 × 10¹⁰ Syncytial Virus Helix15 nm 1.00 × 10¹¹ Helix 19 nm 7.89 × 10¹⁰ Central canal 5 nm 3.00 × 10¹¹Marburg virus 80 nm wide helix 1.88 × 10¹⁰ & Ebola Virus 50 nm internalcanal 3.00 × 10¹⁰ 20 nm central canal 7.50 × 10¹⁰

Once the qualitative viral resonant acoustic signature has beendetermined, quantitative results may be determined by comparing theresonant acoustic signature amplitudes from samples of knownconcentrations of a specific virus. Samples with higher viral loads(concentrations) will have higher resonant acoustic signatureamplitudes. A ratio of primary resonant frequency amplitude to viralconcentration is thus derived, allowing for assessment of viral load insamples of unknown concentration.

In another embodiment, resonant acoustic signatures from the testdisc/slice may be generated either by first clamping a controldisc/slice into the transducer chamber and storing the resonant acousticsignature in a microprocessor for subsequent processing with the testdisc/slice signature, or by clamping a control into a second transducerchamber and sweeping through the wide band of frequencies simultaneouslywith the test disc/slice virus sweep. Also, the test disc/slice may beclamped between the transducer and a reflective surface, and theacoustic wave generated and received by the same transducer, thusanalyzing reflected rather than transmitted acoustic waves. Furthermore,one or more transducers analyzing reflected or transmitted acousticenergy may by immersed into a fluid or medium containing the virus.

In another embodiment one or more transducers analyzing reflected ortransmitted acoustic energy constitute the walls of a vessel into whicha fluid or medium containing virus is placed.

The present invention also allows the effects of the resonantfrequencies to be determined in vitro as shown by the apparatus in FIG.13. Using standard virology culture methods, known to those skilled inthe art, the viral culture may be placed in a reusable/autoclavable testcylinder. The bottom surface of the test cylinder is the transducer,constructed for the appropriate frequencies, such as a thin film zincoxide on a sapphire substrate. The host medium thus placed in the testcylinder spreads over the bottom of the cylinder in a monolayer and indirect contact with the transducer. Acoustic energy of the desiredresonant frequency is then delivered through the culture fluid and hostmedium to the viruses, and the effects on growth and function areassessed using standard virology methods. By varying the acoustic wavecharacteristics, such as amplitude, mode (continuous vs. pulsed), shape(sinusoidal vs. square), intensity etc., the ideal frequency andwaveform required to obtain specific effects can be determined.

For example, in testing the augmenting and/or disrupting effects ofresonant acoustic frequencies on HIV, uninfected T-lymphocyte host cellsare first assessed in the test cylinder with the resonant acousticintervention (resonant frequencies in varying waveform patterns forvarying periods of time at varying intensities) using the trypan bluedye exclusion test, which excludes anomalous viral results by assessingthe effects of the acoustic intervention on the host cells alone. Step 2involves placing a calculated number of HIV infected T—lymphocytes inthe test cylinder. The host cells form a monolayer on thetransducer/floor of the test cylinder, where the acoustic interventionis delivered. The results are then assessed using standard in vitromethods such as the Coulter HIV-1 p24 antigen kit, HIV cultures, HIV-1DNA by PCR, viral load measurement, quantitative measurements, time topositivity, and growth suppression.

The methods of the present invention also provide means to disruptviruses in vivo and extracorporeally in animals as shown in FIG. 14. Forexample, in humans infected with HIV, an extracorporeal bloodcirculation system is established using techniques known to thoseskilled in the art. The extracorporeal blood is passed over a series ofreusable/autoclavable sterilized transducers that deliver acousticenergy at primary or harmonic resonant frequencies. The acoustictransducer series acts in effect as an acoustic filter, disruptingviruses in the blood stream. Efficacy of treatment is assessed usingviral load studies, as known to one skilled in the art, both prior toand after the extracorporeal treatments.

In another embodiment, the above described acoustic filter is alsofitted with a receiving transducer mode for analysis of the bloodsample. With initial passes of blood containing large numbers of intactvirus, the resonant amplitude will be high. After prolonged exposure ofthe blood to the disrupting resonant frequencies, the resonant amplitudewill decline as the numbers of intact viruses decline, thus giving viralload readings and a method to determine when cessation of theextracorporeal treatment is indicated.

In another embodiment, a sheet of piezoelectric material is fashionedinto an envelope or mesh-type transducer, through which theextracorporeal blood is passed. In another embodiment, a tube ofpiezoelectric material is fashioned into a coil transducer, throughwhich the extracorporeal blood is passed. In another embodiment, theextracorporeal blood is separated into red and white blood cellportions, and only the while blood cell portion is passed through theacoustic filter, thus reducing the time required for treatment andreducing mechanical damage to the red blood cell portion.

In another embodiment, banked blood is passed through an acoustic filterat any one of multiple points in the blood product collection andadministration process (i.e., collection from the donor, separation intocomponents, or administration to the recipient).

In another embodiment, nanosystem technology (see Nanosytems, by EricDrechsler; publications of CJ Kim, Berkley University; publications ofRalph Merck, Xerox Co., Palo Alto, Calif.) is employed to make multiplesmall acoustic oscillators which are enclosed in filter material, thefilter material preventing passage of the oscillators but allowing thepassage of blood cells and blood components. The nanite virosonic filteris sterilized and attached in line on an extracorporeal system or in ablood products system.

In another embodiment, the resonant and/or harmonic acoustic frequenciesare generated using acoustic laser or maser systems. In similar fashion,the whole or fractionated blood is passed extra corporeally over orthrough a laser or maser acoustic filter.

The method also provides a means to disrupt viruses in vivo andintracorporeally in animals as shown in FIG. 15, using intravasculardevices. Nanosystem technology is employed to make multiple smallacoustic oscillators which are enclosed in filter material, the filtermaterial preventing passage of the oscillators but allowing the passageof blood cells and blood components. The nanite virosonic filter isattached in line on a CVP type catheter or in a Greenfield-type filter.

In another embodiment, a central venous catheter as known to one skilledin the art (produced commercially by Arrow, Baxter, etc.) is engineeredand fitted with a transducer of appropriate frequency at the tip. Thecatheter is inserted using standard technique into a large vein such asthe subclavian, jugular, or femoral vein. Resonant acoustic energy isthen delivered to the circulating blood, thereby disrupting virus invivo.

In another embodiment, the transducer is fitted as an acoustic filter ona larger intravascular device such as a Greenfield filter-type devicefor the inferior vena cava. The device is fitted with a battery that isrechargeable through the skin, as currently practiced with rechargeablecardiac pacemakers. Once inserted, the acoustic filter reduces viralload in the vena caval blood flow, without the need for the patient tobe restricted by catheters.

In another embodiment, inclusion of a receiving acoustic transducer mayalso detect qualitative and quantitative resonant acoustic frequenciesof the virus in the multicellular organism to determine efficacy andduration of treatment.

The methods of the present invention also provide a means to augmentand/or disrupt viruses in vivo in a multicellular organism, as shown inFIG. 16, using resonant acoustic fields. The organism is placed in aform-fitting tub filled either with water or a coupling medium such ascastor oil (reflection coefficient 0.0043) or mineral oil, or such otheracoustic conductive gel as is available commercially. Acoustictransducers are either fitted into the walls and floor of the tub, orare themselves the walls and floor of the tub (i.e., piezoelectricpolymer sheets or ceramics). A predetermined acoustic field(frequencies, harmonics, amplitude, mode, shape, etc., at a specificintensity) is delivered to the organism from the transducer tub throughthe coupling medium.

In another embodiment, a receiving acoustic transducer mode also detectsqualitative and quantitative resonant acoustic frequencies of the virusin the multicellular organism to determine efficacy of treatment.

The present invention also provides a method to augment and/or disruptviruses in vivo in a portion of a multicellular organism as shown inFIG. 17, using a resonant acoustic field probe. Acoustic transducers ofdesired frequency are fitted into the end of a hand-held probe device,as currently known to those skilled in the art of medicalultrasonography. A predetermined acoustic field (frequencies, harmonics,amplitude, mode, shape, etc. at the required intensity to effect theorganism) is delivered to a predetermined portion of the organism, fromthe hand-held transducer probe. Attenuation in air is eliminated by useof a commercially available acoustic coupling medium such as castor oil.For example, in a person afflicted with hepatitis, the treatment isdelivered through the skin over the liver. Subharmonics of the resonantacoustic frequencies can be used to minimize acoustic attenuation at thehigher frequencies.

In another embodiment, receiving acoustic transducer mode also detectsqualitative and quantitative resonant acoustic frequencies of the virusin the multicellular organism to determine efficacy and duration oftreatment.

The present invention also provides a method to disrupt viruses in vivoin a portion of a multicellular organism as shown in FIG. 18, using aresonant acoustic field sheet. Piezoelectric polymer material of desiredfrequency is fashioned into a flexible transducer sheet device. Apredetermined acoustic field (frequencies, harmonics, amplitude, mode,shape, etc.) is delivered to a predetermined portion of the organism,from the transducer sheet device. Attenuation in air is eliminated byuse of a commercially available acoustic coupling medium such as castoroil. For example, in a person afflicted with hepatitis, the treatment isdelivered by placing the sheet in contact with the skin over the liver.Subharmonics of the resonant acoustic frequencies can be used tominimize acoustic attenuation at the higher frequencies.

In another embodiment, receiving acoustic transducer mode also detectsqualitative and quantitative resonant acoustic frequencies of the virusin the multicellular organism to determine efficacy and duration oftreatment.

The present invention also provides a means to determine qualitative andquantitative resonant acoustic and/or acousto-EM frequencies in vitro asshown in FIGS. 19 A & B. A test device, as described above and shown inFIG. 12, with any and all embodiments, is fitted with transmitters andreceivers to transmit, detect, measure, and analyze EM energy. When theresonant acoustic frequencies are applied to the virus test disk, aunique electromagnetic energy pattern is generated, according to thestructure and composition of the virus and test disk under study,referred to herein as the resonant acousto-EM signature. Mechanismsproducing the resonant acousto-EM signature include, but are not limitedto piezoelectricity, acoustoelectricity, magnetoacoustics and/orintrinsic energy dissipation. The resonant acousto-EM signaturerepresents one or more of several electromagnetic properties and/orfields including, but not limited to, direct current, alternatingcurrent, magnetic field, electric field, EM radiation and/or acousticcyclotron resonance (standard or Doppler shifted).

All of the above mentioned forms of EM energy are detected, measured,and analyzed with devices and methods known to those skilled in the art.(It should be noted that useful information may also be derived fromapplication of nonresonant frequencies, i.e. current characterization ofsemiconductor biologics via the acoustoelectric effect.) This data incombination with resonant signatures yields even greater sensitivity andspecificity to the method. For example, Herpes simplex virus (HSV) I andII will have nearly identical resonant acoustic signatures because theyare virtually identical in size and shape. They differ in molecularprotein configuration, however, and can be distinguished by theiracousto-EM signatures. This includes, but is not limited to,characterization at nonresonant and resonant frequencies ofacoustoelectric currents, acousto-EM signatures produced via intrinsicenergy dissipation, of acoustic modulation or attenuation in thepresence of a magnetic field via the magnetoacoustic effect, and ofelectric or magnetic fields induced or affected by any of the aboveprocesses.

In another embodiment, the test device is also fitted with any and allcombinations of resonant acoustic and acousto-EM generating equipment. Asample of unknown composition is exposed to the frequency energy patternwhich is included in the acousto-EM signature for a particularstructure. Detection of the associated resonant acoustic waves from thesample confirms the presence of the structure in the sample. Furtheranalysis of amplitude would indicate the relative quantity of thoseparticular structures in the sample. For instance, the combined use ofresonant acoustic and acousto-EM signatures could be used to search atissue slice first for the presence of HSV, and then to specify whetherit is HSV I, HSV II, or a previously unknown and uncharacterized HSV. Inaddition, a quantitative assessment of viral load in the sample couldalso be performed based on relative amplitudes. Thus, the application ofresonant acoustic and/or acousto-EM energy fields, in respect to organicor biologic organisms and structures, yields a form of resonantacousto-EM spectroscopy, with three basic stimulation and detectionmodes (1. acoustic, 2. EM, 3. acoustic and EM), producing nine basiccombinations:

-   1. Acoustic stimulation, acoustic detection;-   2. Acoustic stimulation, EM detection;-   3. Acoustic stimulation, acoustic and EM detection;-   4. EM stimulation, acoustic detection;-   5. EM stimulation, EM detection;-   6. EM stimulation, acoustic and EM detection;-   7. Acoustic and EM stimulation, acoustic detection;-   8. Acoustic and EM stimulation, EM detection; and-   9. Acoustic and EM stimulation, acoustic and EM detection.

The more sophisticated the stimulation and detection/analysis modes are,the more sensitive and specific the spectroscopy apparatus will be. Itshould be noted that the use of resonant acousto-EM spectroscopy aloneor in combination with resonant acoustic spectroscopy in the presentinvention is not limited to biological materials and can be utilized todetect and identify inorganic materials or structures as discussedbelow.

The present invention also provides a method to assess the effects ofresonant acoustic and/or acousto-EM energy on viruses using any and alldevices which produce acoustic and/or EM energy including, but notlimited to, all devices and embodiments previously described. Forinstance, as shown in FIG. 20, to assess the piezoelectric effects of EMradiation on the crystalline structure of viruses, a test system is usedwhich employs EM radiation of the same frequency as at least one of theresonant acoustic frequencies of the virus. In the case of HIV, thefrequency is approximately 15 GHz. A test box made of EM absorptivematerial is fitted with a 15 GHz EM transmitter, with the EM radiationdirected towards the floor of the box. Uninfected T-lymphocyte hostcells are first assessed in the test box with the 15 GHz interventionwith varying exposure patterns (resonant frequencies in varying waveformpatterns for varying periods of time and at varying intensities) usingthe trypan blue dye exclusion test, which excludes anomalous viralresults by assessing the effects of the acousto-EM intervention on thehost cells alone. Step 2 involves placing HIV infected T-lymphocytes inthe test box, where the acousto-EM intervention is delivered. Theresults are then assessed using standard in vitro testing of anti-HIVmethods such as the Coulter HIV-1 p24 antigen kit, HIV cultures, HIV-1DNA by PCR, and viral load measurement.

The present invention also provides a method to disrupt virusesextracorporeally and/or intravascularly in animals using resonantacoustic and/or acousto-EM fields as shown in FIG. 21. For example, inhumans infected with HIV, an extracorporeal blood circulation system isestablished using techniques known to those in the art. Theextracorporeal blood is passed over transducers as described in FIG. 14,including any and all embodiments. Acoustic penetration into the bloodmay be increased using acoustoelectric gain by passing a direct currentinto the blood parallel with the acoustic waves.

The present invention also provides a method to augment and/or disruptviruses in an organ of a multicellular organism, as shown in FIG. 22,using resonant acoustic and/or acousto-EM fields. For instance, as inFIG. 16, including any and all embodiments, a human cadaver cornea fortransplantation is placed in a form-fitting cup filled either with wateror such other non-toxic acoustic conductive gel as is availablecommercially. A predetermined acoustic field (frequencies, harmonics,amplitude, mode, shape, etc.) is delivered to the cornea from atransducer tub through the coupling medium. Utilizing themagnetoacoustic effect, a magnetic field is placed perpendicular to thedirection of the acoustic wave propagation, at a field strength which isa multiple of the acoustic frequency, thereby generating sinusoidal orpeak-type resonance spikes in the acoustic power, and improving resonantacoustic penetration into the cornea without injuring the cornea tissueitself.

The present invention also provides a means to disrupt viruses in vivoin a portion of a multicellular organism using a resonant acousticand/or acousto-EM field probe. For example, as shown in FIG. 23, ahand-held probe is fitted with an EM radiation generating device, ascurrently known to those skilled in the art. A predetermined EMradiation field (frequencies, harmonics, amplitude, mode, shape, etc.)replicating the acousto-EM signature representing the intrinsicdissipation pattern of a particular virus, is delivered to apredetermined portion of the organism, from the hand-held probe. Forexample, in a person afflicted with an upper respiratory tract infection(a “cold”), the treatment is delivered through the skin over the nose,throat, and sinuses, reversing the intrinsic energy dissipation pathwayof the rhinovirus and inducing resonant acoustic oscillations whichdisrupt the rhinovirus.

EXAMPLE 2 Disruption, Augmentation, Detection and/or Identification ofMicro-Organisms

Any micro-organism, such as bacteria, as well as structure and moleculescontained or associated herewith, may be augmented, disrupted, detectedand/or identified in vitro or in vivo using the methods of the presentinvention. Bacteria include, but are not limited to, those associatedwith animals, man, avians, reptiles, amphibians, insects, aquatic life,plants, fruit, soil, water, oil, fermentation processes for foodproduction and the like. In one embodiment the bacteria include but arenot limited to Streptococcus sps., Staphylococcus sps., Hemophilus sps.,Neisseria sps., Treponema sps., Salmonella sps., Shigella sps.,Escherichia coli strains, Corynebacteria sps., Bordetella sps.,Chlostridrium sps., Rickettsia sps., Chlamydia sps., Brucella sps.,Mycobacterium sps., Borrelia sps., Mycoplasma sps., Lactobacillus sps.,strains thereof and the like. Human illnesses caused by bacteria includepneumonia, skin and wound infections, heart valve infections,gastroenteritis, syphilis, gonorrhea, the plague, urinary tractinfections, lyme disease, tuberculosis, cholera, typhoid fever, anthrax,tetanus and gangrene.

Fungal infections include athlete's foot, ringworm, vaginal yeastinfections, oral thrush, histoplasmosis and cryptococcus.

Diseases in animals caused by bacteria, fungi, protozoa and worms aresimilar to those in humans. Similarly, a wide range of micro-organismsinfect plants, and even other micro-organisms are deemed to bebeneficial (e.g., bakers yeast).

Bacteria are first classified by staining characteristics as either Grampositive, or Gram negative. Bacterial response to staining is determinedby the structure of the cell wall. Next bacteria are further classifiedby shape as either cocci (spherical) or rods (cylindrical.) Beyond that,the classification schemes generally involve various biochemicalreactions.

Bacterial cell walls are composed of rigid peptidoglycan (mucopeptide ormurien), a mixed polymer of hexose sugars (N-acetylglucosamine andN-acetyl muramic acid) and amino acids (the structural units ofproteins, see below). As such, the cell walls are crystalline structuresand are subject to vibrational effects from the use of acoustic energy.Thus bacteria are susceptible to augmentation, identification anddetection, or disruption by resonant acoustic frequencies matched totheir shape (sphere or cylinder), size and composition. In addition,various organelles contained within the bacteria structure are alsosusceptible to specific resonant acoustic frequencies (i.e. pili, plasmamembrane, flagellum, cytoplasmic inclusion bodies, basal bodies,capsule, spores, etc.). Finally, the compounds comprising the structureitself (crystalline proteins, etc.) also have unique resonantfrequencies.

Fungi, protozoa, parasites and worms are similar to bacteria in that theorganisms are susceptible to the effects of specific resonantfrequencies based on the size and shape of the entire organism, the sizeand shape of organelles making up a part of the organism, and theresonant characteristics of specific biochemical compounds making up theorganism.

Any fungus, including yeasts, molds and mushrooms, protozoan, parasitesor worms, as well as structures and molecules contained or associatedtherewith, may be augmented, disrupted and/or detected in vitro or invivo using the methods of the present invention. These organismsinclude, but are not limited to those associated with animals, man,avians, reptiles, amphibians, insects, aquatic life, plants, fruit,soil, water, oil, fermentation possesses for food production and thelike. In one embodiment, these organisms include but are not limited toCrypto sporidia sps., Aspergillus sps., Trichophyton sps., Saccharomycessps., Blastomyces sps., Coccidioides sps., Paracoccidioides sps.,Penicillium sps., Rhizopus sps., Mucor sps., Neurospora sps.,Microsporum sps., Streptomyces sps., Epidermophyton sps., Toxicara sps.,Ascaris sps., Echinococcus sps., Giardia sps., Plasmodium sps.,Trypanosoma sps., Schistosoma sps., Bruglia sps., strains thereof andthe like.

At low acoustic and/or acousto-EM power inputs such as below 1×10⁻⁵W/m², the micro-organisms will be augmented in function and will emit acharacteristic acoustic and/or acousto-EM signature which can be used todetect and diagnose the presence of the micro-organisms. At higher powerinputs, the organisms will be disrupted and killed. In addition to thestructures of bacteria, fungi, protozoa and worms being susceptible tothe vibrational resonant effects of acoustic and/or acousto-EM energy,they may also function as piezoelectric structures, intrinsicdissipation, acoustoelectric, and magnetoacoustic structures.

The present invention takes advantage of the composing parts ofstructures, or the entire organism of bacteria, fungi, protozoa, andworms for the purpose of augmentation, identification, and/or physicaldisruption of the micro-organism structures using acoustic and/oracousto-EM energy at specific resonant frequencies, and thepiezoelectric, intrinsic dissipation, acoustoelectric and/ormagnetoacoustic properties of any and all structures involved, eitheralone or in combination with a resonant acoustic field.

Unlike treatment in the prior art using ultrasound, the presentinvention uses specific resonant frequencies, which can be used to treata multilayer organism. The invention also has the potential to augmentthe functional activity of micro-organisms deemed beneficial such asbaker's yeast, wine yeast, lactic acid bacteria (wine and cheese,)petroleum yeast, and microbes producing specific amino acids,antibiotics, enzymes, or other chemicals. The functional activities mayinclude growth, metabolism, oxidation or reduction activity and thelike.

In one embodiment, the present invention allows the resonant acousticand/or acousto-EM frequencies of micro-organisms to be determined invitro as shown by the apparatus described in FIGS. 12 and 24 A & B,including any and all embodiments, with transducers designed for lowerfrequencies in the MHZ range (as provided commercially by MatecInstruments). For example, in a meat packing plant concerned with thecontamination of beef by bacteria, in particular, E. coli, a similardevice can be used to screen the meat for bacteria, in a relativelyshort time span when compared to conventional culturing methods. First aswab of the meat surface is taken, and placed into a sterile test tubecontaining sterile saline at physiologic pH. A predetermined amount ofthe solution is pipetted onto a standard test disc, which is clampedbetween two transducers. Resonant or resonant harmonic acousticfrequencies are scanned for in the test sample, thereby screening forthe presence or absence of potentially harmful E coli bacteria.Inspection of meat is done more efficiently and reliably than by currentmethods.

The present invention also allows the resonant acoustic and/oracousto-EM fields of micro-organisms to be used to augment thesebiologic organisms or their structures. For example, as shown in FIG.25, the bottom of a beer fermentation vat is fitted with acoustictransducers of appropriate frequency and power output to augment thefunction of the special strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast. Thisyeast is currently used to ferment beer for a period of 5 to 10 days,however, with resonant acoustic augmentation, the fermentation time isreduced. The most efficient power output level can be determined byquantitatively detecting concentration of yeast and conversion of starchand/or sugar molecules to alcohol compound.

The present invention also allows the resonant acoustic and/oracousto-EM fields of micro-organisms to be used to disrupt thesebiologic organisms or their structures. For example, as shown in FIG.26, a commercial kitchen microwave is fitted with two (2) EM radiationhorns—one for cooking and one for the resonant acoustic and/oracousto-EM frequencies of the common food pathogens such as E. coli andSalmonella sps. Prior to roasting, grilling, or such other foodpreparation method as may be desired, the home chef may decontaminatethe meat or other food product of any potential pathogens by using thedecontaminate cycle on the microwave oven.

Acoustic resonance measurements were conducted on several types ofbacteria to determine the resonant acoustic frequency of the bacteria. AMatec high frequency 7000 pulse modulator and receiver was used inconjunction with a Matec automated data acquisition system and anoscilloscope. Klebsiella pneumoniae (American Type Culture Collection#13883) was grown on standard growth media. A Matec 90 MHz, ⅜″ diametertransducer surface was cleaned and sterilized with alcohol. LiveKlebsiella was placed on the surface of the transducer. Resonantacoustic spectroscopy was performed in the acoustic range of 100-200MHz. A resonant acoustic frequency was detected for the Klebsiella at125-130 MHz with a centered frequency at 127.5 MHz. This was presumed tobe a resonant subharmonic frequency.

The same measurements were performed on E. coli bacteria (American TypeCulture Collection # 25922) using the same equipment. A resonantacoustic frequency was detected for the E. coli with a centeredfrequency of 113 MHz. This too was presumed to be a resonant subharmonicfrequency.

EXAMPLE 3 Detection and Disruption of Infectious Arthropods

Arthropods include a diverse group of insects that infest and feed onthe blood of humans and animals. Examples include lice, fleas, ticks,mosquitoes, mites, sandflies and tsetse flies. Aside from the generaldiscomfort and annoyance that these arthropods produce when they infesta human or animal, the true danger of infestation lies in the diseasestransmitted by the arthropods. These diseases, in general, cost theworld economy billions of dollars a year. The overall health status ofthe victims is impaired and they suffer loss of time, quality of lifeand sometimes life itself.

Mosquitoes transmit dengue fever, yellow fever, encephalitis,hemorrhagic fever, malaria and lymphatic filariasis. Ticks transmitencephalitis, Lyme disease, relapsing fever and Rocky Mountain spottedfever. Fleas transmit the plague (Yersinia) and typhus. Lice transmittyphus. Mites transmit rickettsial pox. Flies transmit African sleepingsickness, leishmaniasis and Chagas disease.

The distinguishing feature of arthropods is the chitinous exoskeleton,which covers the body and legs. Chitin is a long, unbranched moleculeconsisting of repeating units of N-acetyl-D-glucosamine. It is foundabundantly in nature and forms the hard shell of insects, arthropods,crustaceans, mollusks, and even the cell walls of certain fungi. Assuch, chitin is a crystalline structure and is subject to the effects ofacoustic and/or acousto-EM energy. Thus arthropods are susceptible todetection and disruption by resonant acoustic frequencies matched totheir shape (sphere or cylinder), and size. In addition, various organsor appendages contained within the arthropod structure are alsosusceptible to specific resonant acoustic frequencies. Finally, thecompounds comprising the structure itself (chitin, crystalline proteins,etc.) also have unique resonant frequencies.

At low acoustic power inputs, the infectious arthropods will emit acharacteristic acoustic and/or acousto-EM signature which can be used todetect and diagnose their presence. At higher power inputs, thearthropods will be disrupted and killed. The specific range ofintensities used for detection or disruption will be determinant on thestructure and the intensity can be determined using standard methodsknown to those skilled in the art such as discussed above. In additionto the structures of arthropods being susceptible to the effects ofacoustic and/or acousto-EM energy, they may also function aspiezoelectric structures.

The present invention takes advantage of composing parts of thestructures or the entire organism of arthropods for the purpose ofidentification and/or physical disruption of the arthropod structureusing acoustic and/or acousto-EM energy at specific resonant frequenciesand patterns, and using them as piezoelectric, intrinsic dissipation,acoustoelectric, and or magnetoacoustic structures, either alone or incombination with a resonant acoustic field.

The methods of the present invention allow the resonant acousticfrequencies of arthropods to be determined and utilized, with devices ofappropriate frequency similar to those previously described. Forexample, researchers capturing and cataloging thousands of insects andother arthropods in an effort to identify the source of an infectiousagent such as Ebola, a hemorrhagic fever, or encephalitis, could use anapparatus such as that shown in FIG. 27. The portion of the acousticspectrum containing the resonant frequencies of the infectious agent inquestion is scanned. Known resonant frequencies of arthropod materialsare fed into the negative lead of the spectrum analyzer and cancel outtheir component resonant frequencies in the positive lead sample scan.The remaining frequencies are analyzed for the resonant acousticsignature of the offending microorganism. This provides a means toreadily identify the host reservoir of an infectious agent without theneed for expensive and time-consuming studies.

The present invention also provides a means to kill infecting arthropodson a large organism, for example fleas on a dog or human, as shown inFIG. 28. High kHz to very low MHz transducers are fitted onto abathtub-type apparatus. The resonant acoustic frequencies for fleas aredelivered through the water to the surface of the animal. High poweroutputs for deep tissue penetration are not required, as the infectiousarthropods are restricted to the surface or outer-most layers of the dogor human. The same method can also be used, for example, to de-flea orde-louse bedding and linens in a washing machine.

EXAMPLE 4 Augmentation of Bone Growth

Bone demineralization in humans is a significant health care problem.Thousands of elderly people sustain fractures of the hip, leg, or armdue to this bone demineralization (osteoporosis). These injuries costthe American health care system billions of dollars a year, fortreatment, surgery, and rehabilitation after the injury. In addition,the overall health status of the victims is impaired, and they sufferloss of time and quality of life due to these fractures. Otherconditions which contribute to bone matrix loss include weightlessness(e.g., in outer space) and prolonged confinement to bed. People incertain occupations may benefit from an increase in the normal bonedensity. Examples include professional athletes, military personnel, andjobs requiring exposure to increased atmospheric pressures (e.g.,undersea diving).

Living bone is organized in a calcium based crystalline structure ofhydroxyapatite, doped with copper, and embedded in collagen fibers. Theapplication of force to the collagen fibers in the bony matrix, throughmechanical pressure or gravitational fields, stimulates thepiezoelectric effect and flow of ions via fluid channels in bone. Thissmall electrical charge, in turn, acts as a signal to the body'sosteoblasts to deposit more hydroxyapatite. As the hydroxyapatitedensity increases, the bone becomes stronger. Thus, bones maintain theirnormal structure and density in response to pressures and forcesencountered in normal daily activities, via a piezoelectric effect.

With aging, normal copper doping is lost, and the piezoelectric effectdiminished. The result is that hydroxyapatite density is not maintained,and the elderly suffer from osteoporosis and bone fractures. The samething occurs in the absence of normal activity (weightlessness andconfinement to bed), with subsequent absence of the normal piezoelectriceffect and ionic current flows.

Bone is a crystalline piezoelectric structure and as such is subject tothe vibratory effects of acoustic energy. The operative process behindnormal physiologic bone density maintenance is the generation ofhydroxyapatite molecular movement within collagen fibers, compressed bymacro-pressures. These occur from daily activities, and stimulate thepiezoelectric and subsequent bone building osteoblastic effects.

This molecular movement and the collagen fiber compression can also begenerated from micro-pressures within the semiconductor matrix of bone.Thus understood, micro-pressures can be produced by acoustic energywaves.

In addition to the piezoelectric effect, since bone is a piezoelectricand semiconductor structure, it will exhibit the acoustoelectric,intrinsic dissipation and magnetoacoustic effects. Conditions withdiminished bone semiconductor function (osteoporosis) and/or decreasedmacro-pressures (weightlessness and bed confinement) can be effectivelytreated through application of acoustic micro-pressures which generate abiological piezoelectric effect, and/or also via acoustic resonance,intrinsic dissipation, acoustoelectric and magnetoacoustic effects.

Prior literature describes the use of non-resonant ultrasound to speedthe rate of healing of bone fractures, however, the mechanism causesgross disruption of the bone tissues, which in turn damages themicroscopic capillary bed in bone, with leakage of serum and cells intothe bony matrix, and with subsequent bone mineralization. The literaturealso describes attempts to use ultrasound to detect resonant frequenciesof the structure of entire bones (femur and ulna) to diagnose a bone asnormal or defective. However, the use of resonant acoustics and/oracousto-EM frequencies to activate the piezoelectric effect is notdescribed. No consideration is given in the prior art to using bone as aliving transducer for the piezoelectric, intrinsic dissipation,acoustoelectric, and magnetoacoustic effects, either alone or incombination with a resonant acoustic field.

The present invention takes advantage of the crystalline, piezoelectricstructure of bone for the purpose of augmenting bone growth andcalcification. The invention has the potential to significantly reducethe number and severity of bone fractures suffered by victims ofosteoporosis. The invention has the potential to speed the healingprocess of fractures. Other conditions which contribute to bone matrixloss, such as weightlessness (i.e., in outer space), or prolongedconfinement to bed, would also benefit from the invention. The inventionhas the potential to aid people in occupations which would benefit froman increase in their bone density (athletes, military personnel, andjobs requiring exposure to increased atmospheric pressures such asundersea diving.) The invention also has potential veterinaryapplications. Unlike prior treatment using ultrasound, the presentinvention uses resonant acoustic and/or acousto-EM frequencies of boneto stimulate at least the piezoelectric effect for augmentation of bonegrowth without affecting neighboring tissue.

The methods of the present invention provide a means to augment thegrowth and maintenance of bone using resonant acoustic and/or resonantacousto-EM energy. For example, as shown in FIG. 29, a sheet ofpiezoelectric material is fitted into a shower mat device. When anelderly person, prone to osteoporosis, showers the mat is activated.Water in the shower acts as a conductive medium and primary or harmonicresonant frequencies are delivered through the soles of the feet, alongthe lines of force, up into the legs and hips. The piezoelectric effectin bone is activated and bone density is increased.

The present invention provides a method to augment the growth andmaintenance of bone using resonant acoustic and/or acousto-EM energy,for example, as also shown in FIG. 30. The sleeping/tether bags used byastronauts during conditions of weightlessness are fitted with EMradiation transmitters in the foot of the bags. The bags are made of EMabsorptive materials. The tethers that anchor the sleeping bags to thespace vessel include the cables to connect the antennas to signalgenerators in the space craft. While sleeping, the bone maintenancedevices in the sleeping bag are activated, delivering EM radiation tothe astronauts at a resonant frequency that activates the piezoelectriceffect in bone, and thus, maintains their normal body density.Extraneous EM radiation which might interfere with other equipment onboard is blocked by the EM absorptive materials in the sleeping bags.

EXAMPLE 5 Disruption and Detection of Benign or Malignant Tissues orMasses

There are a wide variety of tissue masses, both benign and malignant,which afflict humans and animals. Many tissue masses are encapsulated orare contained within a restricted area in the body. Nearly all benigntumors grow and expand slowly, developing a fibrous capsule, andproducing a discrete, readily palpable and easily movable mass. Examplesof benign tumors include fibroma, lipoma, chondroma, osteoma,hemangioma, lymphangioma, meningioma, leiomyoma, adenoma, papilloma,polyps, condyloma, fibroadenoma and rhabdomyoma. Most malignant tumorsare invasive and metastasize, however, notable exceptions are gliomasand basal cell carcinomas. Other tissue masses causing disease includeemboli, thrombi, abscesses, stones, and foreign bodies.

By virtue of having a defined, discrete structure, many tissue massesare susceptible to the disrupting effects of acoustic energy at resonantfrequencies matched to their size and shape. Prior art contains manyapplications for the use of acoustics at non-resonant frequencies todetect and even disrupt tissue masses, but to date detection of tissuemasses via resonant acoustic energy and disruption of tissue masses viaacoustic energy at resonant frequencies has not been disclosed.

In addition to tissue masses being susceptible to detection anddisruption by resonant acoustic frequencies matched to their shape andsize, the components comprising the tissue mass itself (cell types,crystalline proteins, etc.) also have unique resonant frequenciessusceptible to detection and disruption. At lower power inputs, certaintissues or masses can be augmented in growth or metabolism, providing asupplemental technique for tissue culturing, regeneration, and growth.

Depending on their structure, certain tissue masses or types may alsoexhibit resonant acousto-EM effects as well as functioning aspiezoelectric, intrinsic dissipation, acoustoelectric and/ormagnetoacoustic structures.

The present invention takes advantage of the discrete shape, size andcomposition of numerous benign and malignant tissues and masses to causethe identification, augmentation, detection, and/or disruption of thosestructures using acoustic and/or electromagnetic energy at specificresonant frequencies. Unlike prior treatments using ultrasound, thepresent invention uses specific resonant acoustic and/or electromagneticfrequencies, which can be used to treat a multilayer organism bytargeting a specific structure therein. It combines the known tumor/massdetection abilities of acoustic energy (diagnostic ultrasound) with thedisruptive characteristics of acoustic and/or electromagnetic energy atresonant frequencies. The invention also has the potential to augmentthe growth and function of various tissues and masses, where desirable.

The present invention provides a means to detect and disrupt benign ormalignant tissues and/or tissue masses using resonant acoustic and/oracousto-EM energy. For example, as shown in FIG. 31, an acoustictransducer designed with standard echo-reflective capabilities is usedto determine the size and dimensions of a tissue mass. Based on thecalculated resonant frequencies, a range is scanned to determine theprecise resonant frequencies. Then one or more of those frequencies aredelivered to the mass, disrupting its structure and allowing subsequentresorption of the mass by the body.

Also, the present invention provides a means to detect benign ormalignant tissue types using resonant acoustic and/or acousto-EM energy,using the apparatus described in FIGS. 12 and 19 A & B, including anyand all embodiments, the cell test disc or tissue preparation is placedbetween two transducers and the frequencies are scanned looking forresonant peaks and EM patterns. Differences in the resonant peaks and EMpatterns will differentiate between tissue types, for example betweennormal epithelial cells and cancerous epithelial cells.

EXAMPLE 6 Augmentation. Detection and/or Disruption of BiochemicalCompounds or Tissues

Biologic organisms are composed of many biochemical compounds includingnucleic acids, carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids and steroids. Manybiochemical compounds align themselves in regularly repeating patterns:in other words they adopt crystalline forms. Examples of biochemicalcrystals include insulin, hexokinase, aldolase, hemoglobin, myoglobinand spectrin. In addition, certain tissues or cell structures adoptcrystalline form such as bone, muscle fibers, and connective tissuefibers for the former, and cell membranes, Na/K membrane pumps, andvisual rod receptors for the latter.

The biochemical compounds from which biological organisms are composedhave their own unique resonant frequencies, based on their innatecrystalline structure. Many of the biochemical compounds are alsopiezoelectric, intrinsic energy dissipation, acoustoelectric andmagnetoacoustic structures. As such, biochemical compounds are subjectto the augmenting, disrupting and/or detecting features of resonantacoustic and/or acousto-EM energy. The present invention uses specificresonant acoustic and/or acousto-EM frequencies, which can be used totreat a multilayer organism. The present invention also has thepotential to utilize piezoelectric, intrinsic energy dissipation,acoustoelectric and/or magnetoacoustic effects to achieve desiredresults, either alone or in combination with a resonant acoustic field.

EXAMPLE 7 Stimulation or Disruption of Proteoglycans Adhesive UnitsBetween Cells Yielding a Skin Welding Scalpel

The present invention provides a method to stimulate and/or disruptproteoglycans adhesive units between cells using resonant acousticand/or acousto-EM energy. Millions of operations are performed on humansevery year, using metal scalpels to make the incision. The use of suchscalpels requires closure of the incisions with stitches, a period ofhealing and invariably results in scar formation. In addition, millionsof people suffer traumatic cuts, tears, or ruptures of the skin, againrequiring closure of the wounds with stitches, a period of healing, andscar formation.

In multicellular organisms, the cells are held together by proteoglycansunits, at the rate of approximately 1,600 per cell. These units areapproximately 200 um long, with some variation between the species.

When an incision is made, or a traumatic break in a cell layer occurs,the cellular adhesions are ripped apart, some cells are ruptured, andblood vessels are torn open. White blood cells, platelets andfibroblasts congregate in the extracellular space and eventually lead tothe formation of a scar which readheres the tissues. During this healingphase the open tissues are much more susceptible to invasion by foreignorganisms, and wound infection is a complication that must be constantlyguarded against.

Even if the wound heals without the complication of infection, a scarstill remains. Modern plastic surgery techniques try to either minimizeor hide scars, but the formation of a scar is inevitable.

An energy field achieving acoustic resonance with the proteoglycansunits at high amplitudes indicating high power levels will causeseparation of the adhesive bonds between cells, thus producingseparation of tissue layers, and in essence, a non-traumatic incision.The same energy field at lower amplitudes will cause readhesion of theadhesive bonds, with nearly instantaneous and scarless healing of thereadhesed incision.

The present invention dramatically improves the surgical process bynontraumatically separating cell layers in the tissue, and by instantlyreadhering the cell layers with minimal or no scarring, using resonantacoustic frequencies. In so much as proteoglycans units may exhibitpiezoelectric, intrinsic energy dissipation, acoustoelectric and/ormagnetoacoustic effects, the present invention has the potential toproduce the above results using the electromagnetic energy pattern ofthe acousto-EM signature, either alone or in combination with a resonantacoustic field. The present invention also has veterinary andagricultural significance, i.e., treating wounds or performing surgeryin livestock and poultry, and grafting of various plant tissues orbranches from one plant to another.

For example, as shown in FIG. 33, a transducer tipped scalpel is used toproduce an acoustic/acousto-EM wave of appropriate frequencies todisrupt the proteoglycans adhesive units between cells and create asurgical incision. At the end of the procedure the edges of the incisionare held together, and another transducer of appropriate frequencies andtype is passed over the incision, readhering the tissues.

EXAMPLE 8 Augmentation, Detection and/or Disruption of Structures ofMulticellular Organisms

The augmentation, identification, detection and/or disruption ofmulticellular organisms has many applications. The world population isplagued by a variety of pests such as insects, rodents and mollusks. Inother situations, the detection of various species in particularhabitats is of importance to human activities. Finally, there are manymulticellular organisms whose growth and augmentation are desired forharvesting of food, medicines, jewelry, etc. Pests can be eliminated bythe use of resonant acoustic and/or acousto-EM frequencies matched tothe size and shape of their body, parts of their bodies, or specificbiochemical compounds contained in their bodies. For example, a resonantacoustic and/or acousto-EM frequency matched to the size of the head,thorax, or abdomen, could be lethal to bees, wasps, ants or termites.Similarly, a resonant acoustic and/or acousto-EM frequency matched tothe size and shape of a mouse's internal organ (brain, kidney, gonad,aorta, etc.) could be lethal to that animal. Mollusk pests such as thezebra shell mussel and barnacles could be controlled or eliminatedthrough the use of resonant acoustic and/or acousto-EM frequenciesmatched to the size and shape of their eggs, internal organs, chitinshell, or cement/cement plate, etc.

Detection of various pest organisms such as termites, or desiredorganisms such as endangered species could be aided through the use anddetection of resonant acoustic and/or acousto-EM frequencies specificfor those organisms. The use of resonant acoustic and/or acousto-EMfrequencies could potentially aid in the identification anddifferentiation of species and subspecies throughout the animal, plantand microbiological kingdoms.

Examples of multicellular organisms whose growth and augmentation aredesired for harvesting include plants and protein sources such as fish,clams, shrimp, chickens and other livestock. Medicines, drugs andchemicals harvested from a wide variety of plant and animal sourcesinclude hormones, perfumes, dyes and vitamins. Other materials harvestedfrom plant and animal sources are such an intrinsic part of humanactivities that they are simply too numerous to list (i.e., pearls,clothing fibers, building materials, leather, etc.) At lower powerinputs of the resonant acoustic and/or acousto-EM frequencies, theseorganisms and their structures can be selectively augmented.

The present invention takes advantage of the discrete shape and size ofnumerous organisms to make use of resonant acoustic and/or acousto-EMfrequencies specific to those organisms, for purposes of augmentation,identification, detection and/or disruption. Using the piezoelectric,intrinsic energy dissipation, acoustoelectric and/or magnetoacoustoeffects, the invention has the potential to produce the above results byapplying an electromagnetic energy pattern of the specific acousto-EMsignature, either alone or in combination with a resonant acousticfield. The present invention has the potential to provide chemical-freecontrol of numerous pests.

The present invention also has the potential to provide for thedetection and identification of numerous species of organisms. Lastly,the present invention has the potential to augment growth and metabolismin and of structures in various species deemed beneficial.

The present invention provides a means to augment, detect and/or disruptstructures of multicellular organisms using resonant acoustic and/oracousto-EM energy. For example, as shown in FIG. 32, a transducerapparatus with the resonant frequency for the cement plate of barnacles(by which they attach themselves to the hulls of ships) is fitted intoan underwater “scrubber” which is operated remotely from the deck of theship via cables, or from inside the vessel via RF control. As thescrubber moves along the outside of the hull, the acoustic wave disruptsthe cement plate of the barnacles, causing them to lose their grip onthe hull and fall off into the ocean.

EXAMPLE 9 Augmentation or Disruption of Growth Rate of Fish

The present invention provides for augmenting and/or disrupting thegrowth rate of fish in a commercial fishery as shown in FIG. 34.

Two breeding pairs of small fish were maintained in a 10 gallon fishtank at 80° F. The breeding pairs produced eggs which hatched inapproximately 3-5 days. The three day old small-fry hatchlings wereremoved from the breeding tank and measured for acoustic resonancefrequency profiles. The small-fries were placed, one at a time, in adrop of water on top of a 2.25 MHz Matec transducer to measure anddetermine resonant frequencies of the small-fries. All of the small-frytested produced similar resonant acoustic frequencies profiles withminor individual variations. One of the strongest initial signals was at2.4 MHz.

TEST A. The first test was conducted on two different groupings ofsmall-fry, one group exposed to an acoustic resonant field and the otherused as a control group. The experimental tanks were fitted with Matec2.25 MHz acoustic transducers through a water tight grommet, through andparallel to the bottom of the tanks. One half of the small-fry wereplaced in a control tank that was connected to a transducer, but notactivated. The other half of small-fry were placed in a tank with atransducer and an acoustic field was applied to the tank. The acousticfield transmitted at 2.4 MHz, continuously at 10 volts/sec. power. Thesmall-fry that were in the control tank all thrived and grew while allthe small-fry in the acoustic field died within two weeks.

TEST B. Another testing regime was conducted on small-fry wherein thesmall-fry were divided into three groups.

DAY 1. One third of the group was left in the breeding tank with parentsas controls. One group was put in another small control tank, attachedto a transducer but without activating power to the transducer. Thethird group was placed in a tank attached to a working transducer andthe small-fry were exposed to an acoustic field of 2.4 MHz, using thepulse mode of the power source at 10 msec repetition rate with a 20microsecond pulse width or duration. The voltage power was set at 300volts/s, via the Matec TB 1000.

DAY 7. Within one week there was a noticeable difference in the sizes ofthe different groups of small-fry, the small-fry exposed to the acousticresonance field being larger than the two control groups.

DAY 10. On the tenth (10) day of the experiment, all the small-fry wereremeasured and the frequency exposing the small-fry in the acousticexposed tank was reduced to 2.0 MHz but all other parameters remainedthe same. The acoustic exposed small-fry thrived.

DAY 14. Five of the small-fry in the small tank control group died.

DAY 16. Eighteen of the small-fry in the small tank control group haddied by this time. The breeding tank group were unaffected. Allremaining small-fry in all groups were measured using a centimeter rulerand the binocular microscope:

Acoustic group 7 mm long Breeding tank control group 6 mm long Smalltank control group 5 mm long

DAY 18. All but one of the small-fry in the small tank control group haddied. The control group in the breeding tank were still alive andfunctioning and the acoustic resonance exposed group were thriving.

DAY 19. The resonant acoustic frequencies of the growing small-fry inthe acoustic tank was measured again. The acoustic field was changed to1.55 MHz, with all other parameters remaining the same except the pulsewidth of each repetition was reduced to 2 microseconds. This reductionof width of pulse had a marked influence on the growth of the small-fryindicating that the microseconds was at the upper end of the power rangefor augmentation at these frequencies.

DAY 21. The sole remaining small-fry in the small tank control group wasmoved into the breeding control group. This sole small-fry wasnoticeably smaller than the other control groups but all controlsmall-fry were noticeably smaller than the acoustic group.

DAY 41. In the acoustic group tank, the acoustic field was changed to0.830 MHz, having all other parameters remain constant.

DAY 65. The acoustic field exposing the small-fry in the acoustic grouptank was terminated. At approximately two months old, the acousticresonance exposed fish were approximately the same size as much older 4month old controls from an earlier control group and much larger thantheir counterparts in the breeding control group.

RESULTS: There was a significant difference in level of power input orintensity between TEST A and TEST B. In TEST A, the power was continuousat 10 Volts/sec. In TEST B the power was pulsed and the acoustic fieldwas active at the most only 0.2% of the time. Therefore, even though thepower was 300 volt/sec, the overall yield was only (300 V/sec×0.002) or0.6 Volts/sec total power.

As the small-fry grew the acoustic resonant frequencies that inducedfunction changes also changed due to difference in structure size andshape.

After termination of the acoustic field, the small fry were allowed togrow to maturity and breed. The fish exposed to acoustic energy at theresonant frequency matured and laid eggs significantly sooner than thecontrol fish. No second generation effects were noted in offspring ofeither the acoustic exposed or control fish.

EXAMPLE 10 Augmentation of Plant Growth

Testing was conducted to determine the effects of resonant acousticenergy on the germination and growth patterns of sugar snap peas. Theseeds for the sugar snap peas were obtained from Lake Valley Seed Co.,packed for lot 1997 lot A2B, 5717, Arapahoe, Boulder Colo., 80303.

Initially, the resonant acoustic frequency of pea sprouts wasascertained by determining the frequency for the maximum amplitude shownon an A-scan. By varying the frequency of the audio generator, theamplitude of the pea sprout was a maximum at the resonant frequency.Seven sugar snap peas were covered half way with room temperature waterin a wide-mouth glass container and left on the counter to sprout. Sixdays later, the sprouts were tested as follows:

The Matec Ultrasonic Inspection System, with Tb 1000 and A to D dataacquisition card was used. The Tb 1000 settings were:

Gain 0-20 dB Trigger Internal+ Voltage High Rectify None LP filtervaried HP filter varied Output level 100% Rep. Rate 10.000 msec PulseWidth 2.00 usec Frequency 0.5-20 MHz Mode Through transmissionA to D settings were:

Data On Delay none Range 12 usec Signal path RF Volt. Range 1 V ChannelA/AC Trigger External+ Threshold 1 Sample rate 100 MHz Vid. Filtr 1.7usec DAC offset 1945Transducers used in the experiment included the Matec 1.0 MHz, 2.25 MHz,5.0 MHz and 10.0 MHz, all being 0.5 inches in diameter. Thesefrequencies were initially chosen because calculation showed that basedon the speed of sound in water (1,500 m/s) and the diameter of thesprouts (1-2 mm or 0.001-0.002 m), the resonant frequency across thediameter of the sprout should be in the low MHz range:velocity=frequency×wavelengthfrequency=velocity÷wavelength=1,500 m/s÷0.001 m=1.5 MHz

Sprout #1 was excised from the pea halves, and was placed between two2.25 MHz transducers, coupled with a thin coat of EKG gel. The Tb 1000was set on scan increments of 0.005 MHz, and the sprout was scanned fromthe lowest (50 KHz) frequency available on the system to the highest (20MHz). Variations in amplitude were observed during this frequencysweeping process, and the low MHz region was quickly identified as thehighest amplitude region. Further frequency sweeping revealed maximumamplitude at 1.7 MHz.

The same procedure was followed for test sprout #2 and #3. Test sprout#2 was still attached to half of the pea, and the resonant frequency of1.64 MHz was detected from the entire structure, although the gain hadto be increased because of the attenuation of the acoustic field by thepea half. Sprout #3 was an isolated sprout such as #1 and revealed aresonant frequency of 1.78 MHz.

The same procedure was repeated with the 1.0 MHz transducer and similarresults were obtained. Thus, it was concluded that the acoustic resonantfrequency for 4-5 day old sugar snap pea sprouts was 1.7 MHz±0.1 MHz.Having successfully identified a resonant frequency for a multicellularbiological, the next step was to show disruption and/or augmentationeffects from the application of an acoustic field at this frequency.

A number of germination tests were conducted using different powerlevels or voltages and length of exposure at the acoustic resonantfrequency.

Germination #1

A Matec 1.0 MHz transducer was used with the Tb 1000 system having thesame settings as that described above in determining the acousticresonant frequency except:

Frequency 1.7 MHz Voltage High Rep. Rate 10 msec Pulse Width 2 μsecThrough ModeTwo small plastic dishes were prepared with sterile cotton balls in asingle layer in the bottom of the dishes with seven sugar snap pea seedsand filled with distilled water to cover the pea seeds halfway. The peaseeds in one dish served as a control. The 1.0 MHz transducer wasclamped tightly in a ring stand clamp, and the face of the transducerwas lowered into the center of the dish. The acoustic field of thetransducer was lowered into the center of the dish. The acoustic fieldwas initiated on day one and interrupted several times during the next72 hours due to frequent storms in the area. The transducer wasoperating approximately only 18 hours during the first 48 hours of thetest.

The experiment was terminated on day five. All seven of the acoustic peaseeds sprouted, while only five of the control pea seeds sprouted.Several spots of black mold were noted in the control dish. Comparisonof the root sprouts revealed that the acoustic sprouts were twice aslong as the control sprouts (2.9 cm vs. 1.6 cm). Interpretation of theseresults was ambiguous because of the tight clamping of the transducer,the frequent and repeated interruption of the acoustic field and thecontaminating mold in the control dish. Accordingly, test trays wereconstructed with the transducer coming up through the bottom of thetray.

Germination #2

The same acoustic equipment and setup was used in this germination asthat used in germination #1. The 1.0 MHz transducer was clamped looselyin a ring stand clamp, and the face of the transducer was lowered into alarger plastic dish. A second 1.0 MHz transducer, unconnected to thesignal generator was lowered into a larger control dish. Interruptionswere infrequent.

The study was terminated on day #7. In the control dish, 79% hadsprouted and the average root sprout length was 3.95 cm (n=81.) In theacoustic dish, only 69% had sprouted and the average root sprout lengthwas 3.12 cm (n=80). It was concluded that this frequency at the higherpower voltage output demonstrated a disruptive effect on pea sproutingand growth.

Germination #3

A new setup was implemented wherein the 1 MHz transducer was fitted intothe bottom of two dishes which were modified by drilling a hole withrubber seals to accommodate a. 5 inch diameter transducer. Thetransducers were placed face up through the bottom of the dish. Eachdish was prepared with sterile cotton batting in a single layer in thebottom. Fifty sugar snap pea seeds were placed in the dishes and filledhalfway with water. The control dish was prepared exactly as theacoustic dish but unconnected to the signal generator. The acousticfield was initiated on day #1 with the above settings used ingermination #1, except that the pulse width was increased to 19.98 μsecwhich was about 10 times the pulse width used in germination #1. It wasalso 10 times the power output as in experiment #2. Interruptions wereinfrequent.

The study was terminated on day #7. In the control dish, 82% hadsprouted and the average root sprout length was similar to germination#2. In the acoustic dish, only 72% had sprouted and the average rootsprout was similar to germination #2. This data confirmed that thefrequency of 1.7 MHz at a high power voltage level demonstrated adisruptive effect on pea sprouting and growth.

Germination #4

The same setup was used as that disclosed in germination #3 except:

Voltage Low Rep. Rate 2 μsec Pulse Width 0.3 μsec (this was adjusted toproduce only one sonic wavelength per repetition)

The results of this germination showed that only 84% of the control dishhad sprouted, while in the acoustic dish, 90% had sprouted. The averageroot sprout length of the acoustic peas was 24% longer than the controlpeas. It was concluded that this frequency and a lower power acousticfield has an augmenting effect on the pea sprouting and growth.

Germination #5

The same setup and experiment disclosed in germination #4 was repeatedwith similar results. In the control dish, 84% had sprouted, while inthe acoustic dish, 96% had sprouted. The average root sprout length ofthe acoustic peas was 30% longer than the control peas (3.26 cm vs. 2.49cm). It was confirmed that the acoustic resonant frequency at low powerhad an augmenting effect on the growth of the peas.

The results of the above five germination tests, shown in Table 3,confirmed that acoustic resonant energy can have both an disruptive andaugmenting effect depending on the length of exposure and powerintensity of exposure. Also, it was concluded that the tight clamping ofthe transducer in germination #1 must have damped and attenuated thepower output from the transducer to mimic low power effect.

TABLE 3 Rep. Pulse Sprouting Power Rate Width Transducer Results % #Frequency Voltage msec μsec Position A C* 1 1.7 MHz High 10.00 2.0Clamped 100 75 2 1.7 MHz High 10.00 2.0 Clamped 69 79 3 1.7 MHz High10.00 19.98 Bottom 72 82 4 1.7 MHz Low 13.00 0.3 Bottom 90 84 5 1.7 MHzLow 13.00 0.3 Bottom 96 84 *A and C define the percentage rates ofsurvival and growth of Acoustic (A) and Control (C) peas.Germination #6

Germination trays were prepared by placing sterile cotton in the bottomof round plastic bowls equipped with acoustic transducers in the bottom.Seventy-five peas (Sugar snap, Lake Valley lot A2B 1997) were placed ineach tray and distilled water was added as needed. An acoustic field wasdelivered to one group of peas for three days using a Matec 1.0 MHztransducer with a repetition rate of 10 msec having a pulse width of 2μsec. The peas were then transferred to 6 inch diameter tapered blackplastic pots, filled with plant growing medium, having bottom openingsfor water drainage. Three peas were planted in each container.

The peas were grown indoors with a 1000 watt grow-light. The peas grewto maturity and into plants bearing pea pods which were measured andweighed. Table 4 provides information relating to the overall growthpattern of the mature pea plants.

TABLE 4 Acoustic Exposed Peas Control Peas Number of Mature Plants  64 54 Percent Plants 119% 100% Number of Pods from Mature Plants 307 287Percent Pods 107% 100% Average Plant Length 81 inches 80 inches Weightof Peas  3.7 oz.  3.1 oz. Percent Weight 119% 100% Weight per Plant0.058 oz. 0.057 oz. Volume of Peas 160 ml 130 ml Percent Volume 123%100%Conclusion—The acoustically treated peas had approximately 20% greaterweight and volume of peas. Weight of peas per plant was identicalbetween the two groups. Hence, the acoustic treatment affected cropyield indirectly, by increasing germination. The acoustic treatmentduring the first three days affected germination only, and did notaffect the subsequent growth and crop yield after the acoustic field wasdiscontinued.Germination #7

DAY 1 Germination trays (2) were prepared as above in germination #6with 115 peas per tray. Neither tray was equipped with acoustictransducers. In this experiment, peas contained in one of the preparedtrays were induced into acoustic resonance by an acousto-EM field whichwas delivered via exposure in a shielded room using a 20 foot antennaand an E field generator. EM energy at a frequency of 1.7 MHz wasapplied continuously at a power of 8.5 volts/m. The tray containing thecontrol peas was kept in a second shielded room without exposure to anacousto-EM field.

DAY 3-11 of the peas exposed to the acousto-EM field sprouted while only5 of the control peas sprouted. The acousto-EM exposed peas were almosttwice the length of the control peas.

DAY 6-45 of the peas exposed to the acousto-EM field had sprouted whileonly 35 of the control group had sprouted.

DAY 10-61 of the peas exposed to the acousto-EM field had sprouted whileonly 45 of the control group had sprouted. The average length of theleaf sprout on the exposed acousto-EM field group was 3.3 cm while theaverage length of the control group was only 2.7 cm.

RESULTS: Applying an acousto-EM signature augmented the germination andgrowth rate of the peas.

EXAMPLE 11 Detection and Identification of Inorganic Structures

The methods and systems of the present invention have a wide range ofuseful applications, such as on-site identification both qualitativelyand quantitatively of various types of inorganic matter or structures,recognition of impurities in metal alloys, recognition of armaments andweapons, such as plastic explosives, etc.

Detection and identification can be achieved by applying acoustic energyat a frequency closely matching the resonant frequency of an object orstructure thereby inducing acoustic resonance therein for detection of aunique acoustic and/or acousto-EM signature. Using methods known tothose skilled in the art, any device capable of generating andtransmitting acoustic energy through any medium can be used to generatethe resonant acoustic and/or acousto-EM signatures utilized by thisinvention including the apparatus disclosed and shown above in FIG. 1.

Using methods known to those skilled in the art, any device capable ofdetecting and analyzing acoustic energy and/or EM energy through anymedium can be used to detect the resonant acoustic and/or acousto-EMsignatures utilized by the invention such as disclosed and shown abovein FIG. 2.

The system shown in FIG. 12 gives a schematic overview of the necessarycomponents to be utilized in determining resonant acoustic frequenciesof different inorganic materials or structures. Predetermination of thespecific frequencies and acoustic and/or acousto-EM signatures willprovide a database for later comparisons.

In FIGS. 35 A & B block diagrams show the apparatus setup whereinresonant acoustic energy can be combined with acousto-EM energy for aspectroscopic method to identify, detect and distinguish similar ordis-similar objects. This can be accomplished by stimulating an objectto resonance by the use of acoustic energy, electromagnetic energy orboth. When the resonant acoustic frequencies are applied to the sample,acoustic resonance is induced and a unique electromagnetic energypattern is generated, that being the resonant acousto-EM signature.Mechanisms producing the resonant acousto-EM signature may include, butare not limited to piezoelectricity, acoustoelectricity,magnetoacoustics and/or intrinsic energy dissipation. The resonantacousto-EM signature is a manifestation of electromagnetic propertiesand/or fields including, but not limited to, direct current, alternatingcurrent, magnetic field, electric field, EM radiation and/or acousticcyclotron resonance.

Analysis is then performed on the resultant acoustic, electromagnetic orcombined energy spectrum produced. The distribution of acoustic andelectromagnetic frequencies and/or properties is then characterized todescribe a unique acoustic and/or acousto-EM signature of the object.

The present invention may be utilized in security systems such as inairports where concerns regarding the transport of plastic explosives orplastic weapons into airlines terminals and carriers are generatingincreased security surveillance. Metal detectors are not capable ofdetecting polymers because in most cases the polymers will not respondto the magnetic fields of the device. Likewise, the other alternativessuch as X-rays devices or trained animals are not able to distinguishone polymer from another, and therefore, some explosives can bedifficult to detect.

A detection device can be used that will recognize the unique acousticsignature and/or acousto-EM signature which characterizes a particularplastic explosive.

To determine the acoustic resonant frequency of the plastic explosive,the natural frequency of the plastic containing the explosive has to bedetermined first. The method to determine the resonant frequency whichin turn determines the frequency needed to induce acoustic resonanceincludes the following steps. A sample of the plastic having a knownquantity of explosive material is placed between two transducerscomprising thin slices of thin film zinc oxide on a sapphire substrateavailable from Teledyne Electronic Technology. The sample is adhered tothe transducers by phenyl salicylate, a coupling medium that acts as anadhesive and also allows the transfer of energy. One of the transducersis connected to a Teledyne Microstrip Matching Network, which is animpedance matching device. The impedance matching device is in turnconnected to a Hewlett-Packard Model 6286A power source. The othertransducer is also connected to a Teledyne Microstrip Matching Networkwhich in turn is connected to a B & K Precision Model 2625 spectrumanalyzer. The acoustic signal, of the plastic test sample, transmittedfrom the transducer is fed into the positive lead of the spectrumanalyzer. The known acoustic signals from the testing fluids, holders,transducer material served as a control and are fed into the negativelead of the spectrum analyzer. Using this setup the control signaturesare canceled out and the remaining resonant acoustic signature displayedis from the plastic explosive, yielding a qualitative result and aunique signature.

The power source is activated and a range of voltages is transmitted tothe transducer. The electrical signal induces a mechanical strain in thetransducer material causing an acoustical energy wave in a specificfrequency range corresponding to the voltage that is delivered by thepower source. This acoustic wave is transmitted through the plasticsample and received by the second transducer. The electrical output fromthe transducer is converted into a readable format by the spectrumanalyzer. The resonant frequency and in turn the resonant acousticsignature can be determined by this method. By varying the voltage fromthe power source, the amplitude of the transmitted acoustic wave reactsto the different applied voltages. When the amplitude of the signalreaches a maximum, the plastic sample is in acoustic resonance and thefrequency that induces this state substantially corresponds to theresonant frequency. At this point, the resonant acoustic and/oracousto-EM signature can be determined.

Once the resonant acoustic signature of the plastic explosive isdetermined then a test can be conducted with several different types ofplastic, some that contained the explosive and some that do not. Againeach sample is placed in the same setup as explained above. Thepreviously determined frequency range to induce acoustic resonance inthe sample containing the explosive is administered by the power sourceusing the corresponding voltage. The samples are individually tested andonly the samples containing explosives reach maximum amplitude at thepredetermined acoustic resonant frequency. Using this method a uniquesignature for a plastic that contains a certain type of explosive can bedetermined.

Once the qualitative resonant acoustic signature has been determined itcan be stored in a microprocessor or other memory storage device forsubsequent comparative analysis in a recognition mode. Also once thequalitative resonant acoustic and/or acousto-EM energy signature hasbeen determined, quantitative results may be determined by comparing theresonant acoustic signature amplitudes from samples of knownconcentration of the plastic explosives. Samples with higherconcentrations of plastic explosives will have a higher resonantacoustic signature amplitudes. In turn, a ratio can be derived allowingfor assessment of load in the sample of unknown concentration.

Suitcases, packages and people can be scanned at an airport terminal todetermine if a plastic explosive is being transported into the terminalor on a carrier. A suitcase can be placed between two transducers, onetransducer generates the acoustic signal and sweeps through a wide bandof target frequencies, and the other transducer detects the transmittedacoustic signal. The acoustic signal transmitted from the suitcase isfed into the positive lead of a signal analyzer. The known acousticresonant signatures for leather, paper, fabric, plastics, and othermaterials that would normally be included in passengers' luggage orcarry-on packages are fed into the negative lead of the signal analyzer.Thus the control signatures cancel out their component resonantfrequencies in the positive lead sample. The remaining frequencies areanalyzed for the acoustic resonant signature of the plastic explosive.

In another embodiment, the electromagnetic energy pattern of theacousto-EM signature of a plastic explosive is transmitted to thesuitcase. If an acoustic transducer detects an acoustic signal fromwithin the suitcase which is indicating the material has been inducedinto acoustic resonance then detection is affirmed. The amplitude of theacoustic signal may provide additional information on the relative sizeor amount of explosive in the suitcase.

In yet another embodiment the acousto-EM signature of a plasticexplosive is transmitted to the suitcase. Both acoustic energy andacousto-EM properties of the contents within the suitcase are measuredto detect and identify the plastic explosive.

1. A method for augmenting bone growth in a targeted biologic structure,which comprises targeting at least one bone structure in the biologicstructure by applying to the biologic structure at least onesubstantially complete acoustic signature of the bone structure toinduce acoustic resonance in the bone structure, said targetingoccurring by a shower mat.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said atleast one bone structure comprises a human bone structure.
 3. The methodof claim 2, wherein said shower mat contacts said at least one bonestructure through water.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein said water islocated between a foot of a human and the shower mat.
 5. A method foraugmenting at least one function of a targeted biologic structure, whichcomprises targeting at least one bone structure in the biologicstructure by providing to the biologic structure at least one resonantacousto-EM energy of the biologic structure, said targeting occurring bya shower mat.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein said at least one bonestructure comprises a human bone structure.
 7. The method of claim 5,wherein said shower mat contacts said at least one bone structurethrough water.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein said water is locatedbetween a foot of a human and the shower mat.
 9. A system for inducingtargeted acoustic resonance in a biologic bone structure to augment bonegrowth of the biologic bone structure comprising: a) at least one EMradiation transmitter means for providing to the biologic bone structureEM radiation at a resonant frequency that activates piezoelectric growtheffects in said biologic bone structure; and b) at least one shower matmeans for providing to the biologic bone structure at least one resonantacousto-EM signature of the biologic bone structure.
 10. The system ofclaim 9, further comprising water located between said biologic bonestructure and said shower mat means.